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Chapter Text

Hey guys, this is the first fic I've written in quite a while, leave a review or shoot me a message, I aim to have the next chapter  up by tomorrow  night! Let me know what you think

985 A.D.

"Do you think that if the children turned into wolves on the full moon they would be fully grown wolves or cubs?"

"Darling, where do you come up with this?"

Brenna giggled as she rested her head on Kol's shoulder. It was the full moon and all the villagers were huddled in the caves as the men turned into beasts above.

"Let me know when the stench of my brother becomes too overwhelming for you Brenna and come hang out with us girls," Rebekah called from across the cave.

"Oh my dear sister, Brenna could never tire of me, I am simply too handsome," Kol smugly replied.

"Well that's my leave," Brenna scoffed as she stood up with a smile and walked away from Kol and over to Rebekah. She sat down next to her twin sister and smiled at Rebekah, who smiled back before she went right back to glaring at her sister.

Tatia spotted Elijah across the cave and a bright smile came to her lips, "sorry to leave after you just came Brenna but…"

"Go, sister! Do not fret over me, I have Rebekah, go and talk to him." Tatia smiled and pecked Brenna on the cheek before running off and Rebekah moved closer to Brenna, taking Tatia's place beside her. As Tatia moved towards Elijah she was cut off by Niklaus.

Brenna could feel Rebekah scowling next to her and she reached out to grab her hand, "Bekah you cannot blame my sister, Niklaus does his utmost to monopolise her whenever she moves to talk to Elijah." As Brenna said this, Tatia let out a flirtatious laugh at something Niklaus had said and placed her hand on his chest. "Well, you cannot blame her entirely at least."

"Your sister is dividing my brothers, she has no class, the trollop."

"Bekah!"

"Oh do not worry, it is not a reflection upon you. I mean, your sister took Elijah and Nik, and that left you to chose from either Kol or Finn, Henrik is too young. And I don't particularly see you being interested in Finn, he is a dullard, so that left you with one choice. Although if I can read my brother well, I do believe he only flirts with Tatia to make you jealous. You did know Nik before you knew us, I believe he thought no one would dare challenge him for your affections. I don't believe he could have imagined your sister would cling to him like a leech."

"Rebekah you are telling tales, I am merely friends with Nik, you all know that. Besides I am engaged to wed your brother, I do not intend to ever look at another boy again."

"No harm in looking Brenna, a bit of admiring never hurt anyone," Rebekah stated as Brenna's eyes locked with Niklaus'. As if he had a radar, Kol appeared by Brenna's side at the next instant, breaking their eye contact.

"What are you two ladies plotting this time," Kol inquired taking a seat on the ground next to Brenna and taking her hand. "Tired yet darling? We can go to sleep over there."

"Kol, you know I can not do that, I do not want to anger my father, he has one daughter with a child and no husband, the last thing I need is for him is to be worried his other daughter may fall victim to the same fate."

"Sounds enticing to me," Kol breathed against Brenna's cheek as Rebekah crumpled her face and stalked off toward Elijah. "I knew that would do the trick. I do believe my darling sister, Bex is jealous of the time I spend with you."

"Kol, could you do the thing again, please? Make me a flower," Brenna asked ignoring his other comment.

"Darling, anything for you," Kol smiled as he picked up a handful of dirt and whispered some words under his breath. He opened it up to reveal a beautiful light pink camellia flower. "There you go, your favourite," he said as he brushed her cheek to place the flower behind her ear. "A beautiful flower for an even more beautiful girl.

"I spoke to Helga the other day," Brenna said looking down.

"Take anything that old hag says with a grain of salt love."

"Well she delivered me some quite grim news," Kol hummed in interest, "she told me that I would die of fever within the month. Kol, she foresaw Tatia's husband falling in battle and that came to be true, what if she is right about this?"

"Darling it was not that difficult to predict your sister's loss of a husband, she was married off to a warrior, it's hardly a surprise that he fell. No doubt she would have predicted the same for you, had your fathers plan for you to marry come to fruition. But as you very well know, after many days of your endless arguments, that arrangement was called off, now I didn't see Helga predict that. She just likes to stir up worry in the village."

"If you say so. Thank you, Kol. I think I am just going to go to sleep now," Brenna said grimly as she stood up. "I'll see you at the break of dawn, my love." Brenna kissed Kol on the cheek and walked over to where her family was preparing for the night.

"Darling, wake up. Brenna," Kol hissed as he shook Brenna awake. "Come and watch the sunrise with me," he whispered and Brenna smiled and stood up, taking his hand and leaving the cave.

"How about down to the river?" Brenna suggested,

"You read my mind love," Kol replied as Brenna giggled and leaned into him.

Brenna and Kol reached the river's edge and sat down, watching the sunrise above the tree line. "I always loved the sunrise, the idea that we made it through another day, survived another full moon. It's victorious."

"Remember when we snuck out to the cave entrance all those moons ago to watch them turn?" he reminisced. "Father got so mad that I put you in danger, we were not even betrothed then and I believe he already preferred you over me. He always has a soft spot for the lovely women he knows." Brenna smiled at the memory. "We should probably head back, people will be starting to wake up right about now."

"You head back so we don't get in trouble, I'll be a couple of minutes behind you."

"As you wish darling. I love you, Brenna," Kol said as he kissed her. "I am counting the seconds until we are married and I can call you my wife. See you in a couple of minutes," Kol said to a beaming Brenna.

"I love you Kol," Brenna shouted out to him, unable to wipe the smile from her face. She took one last look at the sky and stood up and started walking. She did not get very far until Helga caught her eye. "Helga, are you alright?" Brenna queried as Helga started muttering under her breath. Just as Brenna took a step toward her, her head felt like exploding and she grabbed it in surprise letting out a yelp. "Helga?!" she yelled as her vision started blurring.

The last thing she saw before she collapsed was a mop of blonde hair running toward her, yelling her name.

Chapter Text

"MOTHER!" Niklaus screamed running into the caves

"Be quiet boy, have some respect you fool," Mikael barked in response. Mikael then caught sight of the body in Niklaus' arms, "what have you done boy! What have you done!" he screamed at Klaus as he ripped Brenna from his arms rushing her over to Esther.

"Father I swear I did nothing. I saw her and Kol leave the cave before daybreak so I followed them. Kol left, but it was Helga. It was Helga. She did this. Not me. Mother I swear, this was not my doing."

"Helga, did you say Niklaus? What would Helga want with Brenna?" Esther asked, checking the unconscious Brenna over.

"I do not know mother, she was chanting at her, it's nothing like what you and Kol do, it seemed different. Brenna started screaming and then when Helga stopped she just collapsed."

"Go get Kol, NOW! And bring Brenna's family." Klaus nodded and ran deeper into the caves.

"What is this Esther? We cannot lose this girl, we would lose our son if she dies, you know as well as I the depth of his feelings towards her," Mikael confided in her.

"I heard rumours, Mikael. Rumours of Helga's intentions towards this girl, I did not think they were true. Helga works in the name of an ancient being named Silas, doppelgangers of him and his love exist in order for nature to be balanced. Tatiana is one of these doppelgangers. Brenna should not exist, the doppelganger should not have a twin. I heard Helga wanted to eliminate Brenna, to restore the balance that Brenna disrupted. Mikael, you must get her out of here, now, before everyone comes. Helga's spell didn't kill her, I need to know what it did, I cannot have her body interfered with."

"Body?" Mikael snarled, "she is not dead, do not refer to her as a body, she is to be our daughter, I will not lose another daughter Esther," he warned as he scooped her body up.

"Brenna!" Kol's voice echoed through the caves.

Esther nodded and then replied "go, get our future daughter out of here, quickly" as Mikael exited the cave.

"Brenna!," Kol's voice called as he reached Esther, Tatia and Brenna's parents racing behind. "Where is she!" Kol roared as Esther placed a hand on his shoulder which he shrugged off.

"Kol I need you to…"

"Mother?" Elijah's voice called as the rest of the Mikaelson siblings made themselves known, "what has happened?"

"Brenna has been affected by some form of magical affliction, she is alive but I do not yet know what state she is in," Esther explained.

"Where is she? Let me see her, I need to be with her, NOW!" Kol interrupted. Esther began muttering words under her breath and Kol felt a wave of calm wash over him. "Mother, do not dare use calming spells on me, I need to know," Kol breathed.

"I do not know what the spell is that has been used against the girl and I do not believe it is wise to be around her until I determine it is not harmful," Esther continued on as Brenna's mother's eyes filled with tears.

"Who did this?" Elijah queried.

"It was Helga," Klaus replied. "I saw Helga do it."

"Helga?" Kol asked in shock, "Brenna confided in me last night, Helga told her she would die of fever within the month! Mother, is she going to die?"

"Finn, Elijah, I need you to go find Helga, bring her to me. Kol, I promise you I will do everything in my power to save her," Esther comforted her son.

Elijah spared a glance at a shocked Tatia and placed his hand on her back and offered her a small smile before leaving.

"Where is my sister?" asked Tatia.

"Mikael took her, I need to examine her to ensure the magic is not harmful to anyone." Esther looked at Brenna's family. "I swear I will treat this with the utmost urgency, she is to be my family as well," with that Esther exited the cave Kol, Nik and Tatia following swiftly behind, leaving Brenna's parents with the other villagers. They soon reached the Mikaelson home and entered it only to see Brenna sitting up awake and Mikael standing over her.

"Brenna?" Kol, Nik and Tatia whispered and she looked over and gave a shy smile.

"Hi," she whispered back as Esther ran over to her.

"What happened child? You looked half-dead not long ago."

"She woke up when I was carrying her here, she seemed perfectly fine and was able to walk, perhaps the spell didn't work?" Mikael suggested. Esther looked at him briefly and then snapped her head back to Brenna and grabbing her hands swiftly.

"Ahh!" Brenna complained as her hands started to heat up.

"Mother?" Nik growled and took a step forward as Kol put a hand across his chest to stop him.

"It's fine Nik, mother's doing a spell, she's not hurting her," Kol reassured as Brenna hissed in pain and Tatia looked away with tears.

"I still feel the spell within you. I do not know what the spell is at this stage, I'll need to do more work on you to know for sure. But it is there, lying dormant as if it's... waiting for something. Nonetheless, you don't seem to be in any danger this moment. You can do as you wish I will not keep you here child. But if you start to feel a change or anything peculiar, come straight to me do not stop anywhere else," Brenna nodded. "You're lucky you won't miss the feast, my child," Esther smiled as she helped Brenna stand and Brenna gave a small giggle in response.

Tatia shot a beaming smile at her sister which was just as eagerly returned by Brenna, as Tatia ran to give her sister a hug. "Do not ever do that to me again sister, I thought for sure I had lost you, what would I do without my dearest friend and twin?" Tatia giggled causing Brenna to embrace her tighter before looking at Nik and Kol over Tatia's shoulder and smiling before returning to the embrace. "Do you feel well enough for the celebration?" Tatia enquired.

"Why of course! Surely you didn't think I would miss such a momentous occasion?" Brenna teased before linking arms with Tatia making her way out of the home, but not before pecking Kol on the cheek and affectionately squeezing Nik's arms.

"I do love Samhain, Tatia! It's such a glorious time of year. It is a beginning of the winter but what a marvellous way to enter the cold," Brenna spoke. Her sister merely hummed in response and Brenna turned to see what had her so distracted. "Oh do not tell me you seek out dear Elijah, Tatia! If you know you want Elijah then you must tell Nik, so he leaves you two be."

"Oh please, Brenna, I know Nik has no interest in me. I held great affection for him once but I know he cares for you, not me. Anyway, I chose Elijah."

"Oh please Niklaus does not fancy me, I am betrothed to his brother Tatia."

"You being betrothed doesn't stop him fancying you and you know it," Tatia smirked as Brenna shifted on her feet uncomfortably.

"Come on let's dance, we can look for Elijah," Brenna says dragging Tatia to the bonfire. Brenna and Tatia begin dancing but not long after Tatia locked eyes with someone and raised her mask smiling. Brenna looked over to see it was Elijah smiling back. Before Tatia could make a move toward him Klaus grabbed her, kissing Tatia as Brenna watched Elijah stalk off. Brenna caught Kol's eye and ushered him to her but not before whispering to Tatia "over by Loki the pig."

"Hello darling," Kol smiled grabbing her waist, "feeling alright?"

"I've never felt better now that you're here," Brenna smiled kissing her love before dancing the night away with him.

There was an enormous amount of cheering from everyone in the village as Loki the pig was brought out of his cage, destined to be the first sacrifice to appease the gods. Brenna always hated watching the sacrifice and so turned to gaze into Kol's eyes and he leaned in to kiss her. However, just as Loki the pig was slaughtered, Brenna pulled back with a yell and slammed her hand to her chest in pain.

Chapter Text

New chapter! Please let me know your thoughts, hope you like it.

As Brenna yelped, Esther's eyes went wide and she ran to her as Kol caught her. "What happened?"

"I don't know, all of a sudden I felt this pain in my chest, AHH!" Brenna cried.

"Mother, the spell. It needed a blood sacrifice to activate it. That's why you could feel it dormant this morning," Kol realised. Esther immediately grabbed Brenna's hand as Brenna grimaced.

"It's been activated, I can feel it. Helga made us think she did the spell incorrectly, she knew today was Samhain. Helga knew there'd be a sacrifice." Esther felt Brenna's forehead, "you're burning up."

"The fever," Brenna breathed. "She said a fever would kill me. Am I going to die?"

"No," Kol answered bluntly whilst Esther stayed silent.

"I'm scared. I'm scared Kol, I don't want to die. We aren't even married yet."

Others at the festival hadn't noticed the commotion between the three.

"Kol, take her to our house before people start to notice," Kol nodded scooping her up in his arms as Esther raced to Mikael.

Klaus saw Esther whispering to Mikael and turned around to see Kol walking off with a limp Brenna in his arms and ran toward Esther.

"Mother! Brenna?" he exclaimed.

"She's been taken down by Helga's magic…" Esther began, and before she could finish Klaus had run off after Kol and Brenna.

"KOL! Kol!" Klaus yelled as he caught up.

"She just collapsed Nik," Kol breathed as he raced to the cottage. Klaus walked beside them and was stuck staring at Brenna and decided to reach out and sweep some hair off of her face causing Kol to yank her away and Nik to roll his eyes.

Kol reached his home and laid Brenna down and held her hand as Klaus stood over by her feet. "She's burning up," Kol said as he felt her forehead.

"I'm dying aren't I?" Brenna panted.

"No," Klaus and Kol replied at the same time. "No I won't let that happen," Kol added. "I'll let mother work out what is going on and then I'm not going to stop until I find a spell to fix this," he comforted.

"Move Kol," Esther ordered as she and Mikael entered. Kol obeyed and Esther again grabbed Brenna's hand to get a feel of the magic within her. "It's not a type of magic that I am familiar with, I can not determine the spell. Kol, fetch my grimoire." Kol ran to fetch the book.

"Here, mother."

Esther flicked through the grimoire and found the spell she was looking for and began chanting, as she finished, Brenna sat up gasping.

"What did you do mother?" Kol enquired as he helped Brenna lie back down.

"The magic was strong, it would have killed her by tonight. I just slowed down its effect, it's not gone but I've delayed it a while." Esther informed.

"So I'm still going to die? AH!" Brenna winced as she tried to sit up again.

"I will work non stop to find out what magic this is so I can reverse it."

"I'll help," Kol interjected.

Brenna turned to look at Nik and smiled as he crouched down beside her putting a comforting hand on her shoulder and Kol glared as Nik rolled his eyes again.

"So do you think you'll be able to marry Kol now?" Tatia asked, supporting Brenna as they walked.

"Oh my dear Tatia, I can't marry him until they find out what is happening to me. Besides I've hardly seen him the last month, he's been too busy pouring through spell books."

"Well, whilst you're being ignored I've spent plenty of time with Elijah," Tatia giggled.

"Oh I know," Brenna smirked.

"Tonight's our first full moon since I refused Niklaus, I just do not want it to be uncomfortable in the caves tonight."

"I do not think it will be, he's been spending most of his time helping me, he hasn't been moping. I think he knew it was inevitable."

"Oh, look, I see Elijah, are you alright here or do I need to help you somewhere?"

"Just walk me to the tree sister, I just want to be alone for a while," Tatia nodded taking her to the tree before skipping off.

Brenna woke with a start as Niklaus shook her shoulder.

"You fell asleep, love."

"Oh sorry, my bad. Thank you for waking me Nik. Where were you today? I was looking for you," she asked as he helped her up.

"I was painting," he whispered as Brenna's eyes went wide.

"But Mikael!" Brenna exclaimed.

"Don't worry, I found somewhere hidden," he smirked. "You should probably head home," he said as he pulled a leaf out of her hair. "Everyone is preparing to head to the caves.

Brenna nodded, "I'll meet you down there?" she asked and he nodded as she smiled and left.

"Kol!" Brenna said alarmed staring at the entrance of the cave and he ran toward her. "Nik and Henrik, they're not here yet. And the moon is up!"

Kol's eyes widened and he turned to the entrance in hidden fear. "Nik is a big boy he can take care of himself," he snapped as Brenna glared at him.

"What about Henrik, huh? And Nik... he's still your brother, it is not wrong to care," she snapped back before storming off to Rebekah as Kol huffed staring after her.

"Nik isn't here Brenna," Rebekah told her alarmed.

"I know Bekah, he'll be fine, he's brave," she said grabbing her friend's hand and sitting down next to her.

"Oh, look at this one Bekah," Brenna pointed out a necklace to Rebekah trying to keep her mind from wandering to Niklaus' welfare.

"It is quite lovely," Rebekah said enchanted and reached out her hand to touch it, but as she did, it burned her. She looked to the side to see Ayanna, "Ayanna, you burned me," Rebekah whispered as Brenna inspected her hand.

"That is not yours to touch," Ayanna replied smugly causing Brenna to glare.

"MOTHER!" Nik's voice roared.

"Is that Niklaus?" Rebekah asked as Brenna nodded. "Something is wrong," she continued before turning to look out the window, only to see Nik carrying Henrik's limp body. "Henrik!" she yelled as she grabbed Brenna's hand and rushed outside.

"MOTHER!" Niklaus roared again. As they ran outdoors they both stopped short seeing little Henrik's body covered in blood as Esther and Elijah rushed from other areas of the village to Henrik's side. Brenna turned to look at Rebekah and flung one arm around the shocked girl's shoulder and rested her other hand on her arm in comfort.

"No, no! What happened?" Esther questioned panicked.

"The wolves," Nik whimpered, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!"

"Save him," Esther demanded of Ayanna. "Please there must be a way," she said as Rebekah and Brenna crept closer to Henrik's body.

Ayanna placed her hand on the boy's face before sighing "the spirits will not give us a way Esther. Your boy is gone," she said to a now distraught Esther. Both Brenna and Rebekah crouched down on either side of Niklaus, Rebekah stroking his hair and Brenna hugging him as he rested his head on her shoulder.

"No! No! NO!" Esther kept repeating in anguish.

Brenna stayed at the Mikaelsons that night to help Rebekah grieve, Kol had barely spoken a word to anyone and Brenna was well aware that the best course of action was to give him space to privately grieve his baby brother. Rebekah, on the other hand, needed attention and someone by her side. Brenna woke up in the middle of the night to Rebekah shaking her and ushering her to follow. Brenna obeyed and she and Rebekah came across Esther, Ayanna and Mikael talking.

"Please Ayanna, I implore you. You must call upon the spirits on the next full moon.

"I will not," she replied to Mikael. "It is a crime against nature."

"Ayanna, we have already lost too much," Esther broke. "We cannot lose anymore," she said in reference to her children, causing Brenna to narrow her eyes and look at Rebekah grimly. "The spirits can help us find a way to protect our children." Brenna had had enough of eavesdropping and smiled at Rebekah before pulling her back to the bedroom.

"Brenna, I don't know how to tell you this, it's strange, but Esther asked for my blood today," Tatia said to her sister as they were lying on the ground, watching the clouds and trees.

"What?" Brenna sat up asking.

"She said she needed it to make her family superior to the werewolves that harmed them. I just thought of how devastated I would've been if it were Elijah dead and not Henrik. So I gave it to her, no questions asked.

Before Brenna could respond she got hit with a wave of nausea began to feel weak and instead of probing her sister further she merely mumbled an ok and lay back down panting.

It had been days since the Mikaelsons had been seen. Villagers had seen them burn in the sunlight when they reached out of doors or windows. It had been days since Brenna saw her best friends and Kol. Brenna had been getting weaker by the day but hiding it from her family. Eventually, the pain became too much and she found herself knocking on the Mikaelsons door. Esther opened the door so only her eyes were visible.

"Yes my child?"

"The spell, the one you cast to help me. It's not working anymore, ahh," she hissed grabbing her chest.

"Let her in mother," she heard Kol demand behind the barely ajar door.

Esther huffed before resigning and opening the door. "She can come in, but only if you and the others stay in the other room. You can't go near her now. You might endanger her."

Brenna saw Kol's dejected face in the shadows as he nodded and left as Esther helped Brenna through the doorway and into the main room to lie down.

"I am so sorry child, this is my fault," Esther said sadly, brushing the hair from her cheeks. Kol then entered the room. "Kol! Leave. You cannot be trusted," she hurried.

"I will not hurt her mother, I swear to you. I would never. The others are staying back there. What can be done?"

"I was keeping her alive. I was sending my own life force into her. It's how she stayed alive. We were sharing energy to keep the spell from claiming her."

"Why isn't it working now?" he enquired sweeping hair off her clammy forehead.

"I had to withdraw it. I needed my full power for the spell for you and your siblings and father. I couldn't let it stay in her." Kol looked at her shocked. "I did find something though. A spell she will come back healed. But she will have to die for it to work."

"What?" Brenna said panicked.

"It will work Kol, she will die, but she will come back, I promise. What do you think dear?" she asked Brenna.

"I'll come back straight away?" Brenna asked.

"No, you'll be born to another family, but you won't be sick."

"But then I won't see Kol again! I can't die," Brenna said panicked.

"I swear to you, dear. You will see Kol again. He will appear just the same as he is now," Esther reassured a confused Brenna.

"Do you promise I will see Kol? He'll be there?"

"Sweetheart, he'll always be here now."

"Ok. I suppose we have no choice. What is the harm? I will die anyway. I trust you." Esther and Kol nodded and he held her hand as Esther chanted and then Brenna's eyes fluttered closed for the last time.

Chapter Text

Hey guys, thanks for the love. Please continue to leave reviews! xx

Mystic Falls, May 23 2009

It was 6.45 am when Brea heard Elena's alarm go off. She rolled over to try and get back to sleep but as she did, Elena turned the radio up even louder.

"Elena!" she yelled throwing the closest book at the wall the two shared in protest. However, Elena just turned it up louder and Brea could hear her bouncing around her room and groaned at her rude awakening before dragging herself out of bed.

Brea eventually made her way out of her room glaring and ran straight into Elena.

"Can't we wake up at 7 for once? Please," Brea argued as Elena laughed and skipped off ahead.

"We can't both go into school with high ponytails you know," Elena retorted as Brea self consciously grabbed her hair. "Brea, we wear the same stuff all the time, we don't have a choice in the cheerleading uniform, so we can at least have different hairstyles," Elena smirked.

Brea looked down and smiled victoriously. "Fine, I'll change my hair, but you have to change your shoes," she giggled as Elena looked down groaning when she realised they were wearing the same shoes and she stalked off to change them.

Brea decided to wait for her twin and checked her phone, seeing a text from her boyfriend, Chad Fell.

C - Need a lift to school?

Brea replied

B - That's ok I'm good, I'll see you there

He sent back

C - Easy, love you

When she read the text all she could do was sigh and decided to ignore it, putting her phone away as Elena pranced out of her room muttering about how she should've checked the shoes first.

As the pair got downstairs Elena saw Aunt Jenna pouring coffee and almost ran at her, eager for a caffeine hit and Brea made herself a tea instead.

"Hey," Aunt Jenna greeted them both.

"Hey," Brea replied back as Elena was too distracted by the thought of coffee to greet their aunt.

"Jeremy locked himself in the bathroom again. Does he think we don't know what he's doing in there?" Elena sighed as Brea pretended to dry retch over by the sink causing Elena to roll her eyes at her.

"He's 14, they don't think," Jenna quipped back with a smirk.

Just when Elena thought Jenna was distracted she lunged at the coffee pot, but Jenna was quick and grabbed her hand. "Hey you'll get me in trouble," Jenna whispered.

"Morning," their mom called as she came downstairs causing Elena to gasp and drop the coffee pot before spinning around.

"Nearly got busted," Brea smirked.

"Morning mom," Elena smiled innocently as their mum kissed her cheek before doing the same to Brea.

"Brea, let's go, we've got to get to practice. See you later guys," Elena called to Jenna and their mom before leaving, Brea hot on her tail.

"Caroline Forbes told me that my ponytail lacked juj," Elena relayed to Brea, Bonnie, Matt and Chad.

"I don't even know what that means," Matt laughed in reply.

"Aren't I glad I switched my ponytail this morning," Brea giggled causing Elena to glare at her as Chad put his arm around her shoulder, which resulted in her tensing.

"It means Caroline's driving Elena crazy, as usual," Bonnie explained to Matt.

"There are perks to being best friends with the cheer captain, Lena. You should try it. I'm in, I could help you out. You've got to go past the friend zone into the best friend zone," Brea laughed teasingly as Elena shuddered.

"I'm good. I've got Bonnie. Plus I think I can only just handle this amount of her, I don't need more," Elena laughed.

"So as I psychically predicted, flare jeans are making a comeback," Bonnie stated changing the subjects, causing Elena to grin, she loves flare jeans.

"That doesn't make you psychic, Bonnie. It means that you watch to much 'Top Model'," Elena scoffed.

"Say what you want. But I've got a bad feeling about the bonfire tonight."

"I think Bonnie has superpowers," Brea interjected causing all four other to stare at her. "Super, predictive fashion powers."

"Doesn't matter anyway, we can't go," Elena said referencing her and Brea. Both Chad and Matt turned to face them with unhappy faces. "I know, but Jenna's in town and my parents want to do a family night."

"Plus I don't really want to go, we haven't seen Jenna in ages. I miss my hyper aunt," Brea threw in with a smile at her sister.

"You guys have to come," Chad said grabbing Brea's hand. "Please Brea?"

"I agree, come on guys," Matt added, causing the two twins to look at each other uncomfortably. "See if you can sneak out," Matt suggested with Chad nodding. Matt proceeded to kiss Elena and Chad tried to do the same to Brea but she turned her head to smile at Bonnie, causing him to miss and kiss her cheek with a dejected look.

"We gotta go see coach Tanner," Chad said. "Love you," he said to Brea before leaving.

Brea and Elena turned to face Bonnie to see her giving them knowing looks which they returned with confused ones.

"What?" Brea asked.

"Oh come on Brea, you guys didn't say it back. They both said 'I love you' and you both said nothing." she explained. "You can't string them along, guys. If you aren't into it anymore just… tell them."

"Yeah I know," Brea agreed whilst Elena stayed quite. "Anyway, I see the scary Caroline Forbes so I'll catch up with you guys later," she promised before walking off towards her best friend.

"Elena, call mom ok. She'll come to pick us up. I'll meet you on the road. I'll just be a minute," Brea said to an irritated Elena at the bonfire party that they both ended up going to. Elena nodded and walked off. Brea sighed as she spotted Chad by himself next to the bonfire, she took a deep breath and walked over to him. "Hey, can we talk?" she asked.

Chad nodded sadly, "sure," he said grabbing her hand pulling her away from the crowd. "Let's do this."

Brea looked up at Chad sadly. "Look Chad I…"

"I just don't get it," he interrupted. "What did I do wrong?"

"Nothing, you did nothing. I just can't do this. I'm sorry. It just doesn't feel right. I just don't think you're the one I'm meant to be with."

"Well, that hurts."

"Chad…"

"No, I get it, didn't know how long I'd be able to keep one of the popular Gilbert girls anyway. I should've been this coming."

Brea looked at him sadly, cupping his cheek. "It's not that I don't think you're a great guy, or that I don't care for you. I just... can't… I'm sorry," she whispered as he nodded, kissing her head. "I'm going to go," she whispered.

"Are you ok to get home?" he asked sadly.

"Yeah, Elena's calling mom, she had a fight with Matt so I'm fine, Chad. I'm so sorry," she said one last time before walking off.

"Elena," Brea called out as she spotted her sister talking to a dark-haired stranger. As he looked at her his eyes widened.

"This is impossible," he whispered, "Brenna?" he asked louder.

"Umm yeah, do I know you?" she asked back as Elena continued to stare at him curiously. Damon paused as if he was listening to something.

"Both human, how is that possible," he whispered. "How are you alive?"

"So what do you want?" Elena asked ignoring the strange exchange between the man and her sister.

"Ah…" the man smirked, thinking as they heard a car honk and they all turned to look at it.

"That's our parents," Elena exclaimed.

As the twins turned back around to Damon he captivated both of their eyes. "I want you both to get everything you're looking for. But right now I want you to forget that this happened. Can't have people knowing I'm in town yet. Goodnight Elena, Brenna," he said before he zipped away and the memory of the meeting was wiped from the sister's minds.

"Let's get in," Brea said as their parent's car pulled up.

"Wait," Elena said grabbing Brea's arm. "What happened with you and Chad?"

"We broke up. He knew it was coming. I'm fine. You should've seen his face though, Lena. I've never seen anything like it. The fact that I, me, could make someone that sad, it's just, scary you know," Brea huffed as Elena looked down conflicted. "But it's for the best Elena. I know it was," she said with a weak smile at her sister before getting in the car. Brea settled into her seat, shutting her eyes as her mom quizzed Elena on the night.

"LOOK OUT!" she heard her mom scream and she jolted awake as the car swerved to the side and off Wickery Bridge as she and Elena screamed before fainting. They soon woke up coughing. The twins looked at each other before realising that the car was filling up with water.

"Dad," Brea stuttered, but he ignored her.

"Dad," Elena said more forcefully.

He turned to look at his daughters before reassuring them that "we're going to be ok. I promise."

Elena and their dad were madly trying to escape the car but Brea was motionless before she whispered "mom." Elena stopped and looked at their unconscious mother before trying to free them even harder.

"Come on Brea, we have to get out," Elena urged and Brea nodded and started banging on the car. The water was fast filling the car and as they were spluttering the water went above their heads and the car was filled.

After a little longer of struggling Brea and Elena stopped and just hugged each other as their dad kept trying to open the door.

Elena yelled out for their father underwater a few times before he looked over at his daughters and stuck his hand out toward them and they grabbed on tight whilst still hugging each other as he shook his head in defeat at their situation. The girls looked at each other and then back to their father nodding to reassure him. Simultaneously they both mouthed "I love you," to their father before their grips on each other loosened as the girls passed out from lack of oxygen and their lives forever changed.

Chapter Text

EDITED Aug21

"Toast? I can make toast," Jenna suggested as she frantically flew around the kitchen.

"It's all about the coffee Aunt Jenna," Elena said whilst pouring a mug.

"Or the tea if you don't want to end up a jittery caffeine addict like Caroline," Brea quipped and Elena smirked.

"Is there coffee?" an emo Jeremy asked as he arrived downstairs.

"There's tea? Drink the tea Jer, join the cult with me," Brea suggested as he snatched Elena's cup from her hand.

"Your first day of school and I'm totally unprepared. Lunch money?" Jenna offered.

"I'm good," Elena replied as Jeremy snatched the money and handed Brea half.

"Anything else? A number two pencil? What am I missing?" Jenna rambled.

"Don't you have a big presentation today?" Elena asked.

"I'm meeting with my thesis advisor at… now," Aunt Jenna panicked when she realised the time. "Crap!"

"Then go," Elena said.

"We'll be fine," Brea reassured with a smile at her aunt as she ran out the door.

"You ok?" Elena asked Jeremy as Brea rolled her eyes.

"Don't start," Jeremy scoffed as he walked off.

"What did I do?" she asked Brea.

"You have to be his friend," she suggested. "Not a concerned parental figure. It's not what he needs. He needs someone to talk to, not someone to tell him what to do. He's a teenage boy, they're not meant to be pleasant to be around."

"Matt!" Brea said tapping him on the shoulder to get his attention away from his earphones in the schoolyard.

"Hey," he said hugging his friend. "How are you feeling today? All good? Any pain? Did you sleep ok?" he asked concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Walk with me to class?"

"Maybe if I walk in with you Tanner will be nice to me this year," he smiled.

"Dude Tanner will never like you… is that Jeremy?" Brenna asked spotting him smoking in the stoner pit.

"Oh yeah, and that's my big sister attached to Tyler's face," Matt grimaced as he spotted Vicki with Tyler.

"Urgh, that's so gross. Attack our siblings time?" Brea suggested with an eyebrow wiggle.

"I'll pass, don't really want to get involved with whatever Vik's doing with him. I'll see you later though," Matt said walking off as Brea stormed toward Jeremy.

"Jer!"

"What?" he snapped.

"I'm not Elena and I give you a free pass most of the time because you're my brother, but please, not at school Jer," Brea said ripping the cigarette out of his mouth throwing it on the ground. "Hey, Ty," she greeted as he walked past.

"Hey Gilbert, looking good as per usual," Tyler replied flirting to which she just rolled his eyes, he was deliberately trying to annoy her brother. Jeremy just groaned and stormed away from the two of them.

"Urgh, you idiot now he's gone," Brea groaned as she watched her brother runoff. "You're so annoying," she smiled as she headed off to class.

As Brea was leaving the classroom she bumped into the new kid. "Oh bugger, sorry Stefan," she laughed and walked off. She got a few steps before she halted and pivoted around to face him. "I'm sorry, did I just call you Stefan, sorry. That's weird. We've never met. Umm, what's your name?" she asked.

Stefan wiped the shocked look off his face and replied "Oh, it's uh, Stefan actually. You got it right."

"That is spooky," she muttered before gasping to herself, "maybe I'm the physic, maybe Bonnie and I should buy a lottery ticket." She smiled and turned her attention back to Stefan as she walked forward to shake his hand, "I'm Brenna, but my friends call me Brea. Have we met? You seem awfully familiar."

"Yeah I get that feeling as well but I don't think we have," he said with an awkward smile.

"Oh ok, cool. I'll see you later then, Stefan," Brea said politely before rushing off, shocked that she would know the new kid's name before had he even told her.

Brea met up later with Tyler and Matt at the Grill. They were just talking football, so Brea tuned out until Vicki came to the table with food.

"Do you need another refill?" she asked Tyler flirtatiously.

"I'd love one," Tyler replied flirtatiously and Vicki left.

"I would've liked a refill as well," Brea muttered, shaking her empty cup that Vicki had ignored whilst being preoccupied with Tyler.

"Please tell me you're not hooking up with my sister," Matt begged.

"I'm not hooking up with your sister," Tyler replied.

"Liar," Brea hissed under her breath so only Tyler could hear and he kicked the side of her leg under the table. "Ow!"

"You're such a dick," Matt replied.

"Cheers to that," Brea replied lifting her glass before scowling at Tyler, "oh wait, no, I can't, my glass is empty."

Matt sighed as he looked over at Stefan and Elena flirting at another table.

"You gotta stop staring Matty," Brea said clicking her fingers to pull his attention away. "My sister lost a real top quality man in you, my friend. You have to show her what she's missing," she smiled as she shoved his arm lightly.

"What are you doing?" Tyler asked with a laugh.

"Building his confidence, you can take on the world Matty! You could wrestle a bear and win!"

"Oh my god," Tyler groaned. "She's right though man, it's not healthy, but trust me, you definitely can't wrestle a bear."

"I can't believe you dragged me to this stupid party, Elena," Brea moaned as she walked up to her and Bonnie "Jenna and I had plans to eat ice cream together. Anyway, what are we talking about?"

"Stefan," Bonnie answered. "He has that romance novel stare. Stefan looked deep into her eyes, piercing her very soul." Bonnie mocked.

"Ok Bon, you're officially cut off," Brea declared. "So where is he?" Brea asked.

"I don't know," Elena replied. "You tell me you're the psychic one," Elena retorted to Bonnie.

"Oh nice one," Brea applauded her sisters come back and turned to wait for Bonnie's response.

"Right, I forgot. Ok, so give me a sec. Grams says I have to concentrate."

"Wait," Elena interjected. "You need a crystal ball." Brea spun around and found an empty beer bottle on the ground and handed it to Bonnie. As Bonnie gripped it her eyes widened and she stared straight at Brea.

"What?" Elena asked.

"That was weird," Bonnie said whilst Brea looked alarmed. "When I touched you, Brea, I saw a man, but from a long time ago. And you were with him but you guys had on like super old clothes."

"What?" Brea asked wide-eyed with a nervous laugh. "Like legit, I have dreams every night that are from different time periods."

"The man, he was holding your face. You were smiling. It was you, but it was so long ago." Brea stared at Bonnie, freaked out as she described Brea's recurring dreams perfectly. "I'm drunk," Bonnie reasoned. "It's the drinking. There's nothing psychic about it."

Brea was still freaked out and Elena was getting concerned, staring at her sisters face so Brea tried to put them both at ease by saying, "yeah well I've had that dream for a while so I probably told you about it before."

"Yeah? Ok, I'm gonna get a refill," Bonnie said leaving a little more relaxed than she was a moment ago.

"Elena I don't think I ever told Bonnie about the dream. I've told you, I know that, but I don't remember telling Bon. How could she see that?" Elena could only shrug, she had no answers either.

"You look bored, wanna go for a walk?" Jeremy asked as he walked up to her. "I need to blow off some steam." Brea nodded and they got up walking through the path in the woods. It didn't take long to find Tyler and Vicki up against a tree and Brea cottoned on as to why Jer wanted to go for a walk.

"Hey leave her alone!" Jer yelled at Tyler as he noticed Vicki was trying to shove him off.

"You know, you're starting to get on my nerves, Gilbert," Tyler said making his way towards Jeremy.

"Just go Tyler, get the hell away from me," Vicki snarled as Brea raised her eyebrows at Tyler.

"Wow. Vicki Donovan says no. That's a first," he snarked before walking away.

"Woah. Hey, you don't get to say that, what the hell! Don't be an ass Ty," Brea hissed storming off after him, leaving Vicki and Jeremy alone.

A while later Brea noticed Elena standing by the bonfire by herself. Brea sighed, she knew Matt needed some closure and a chance to talk to her so she pointed it out to him and he smiled and walked over to her twin. Not long after Brea caught sight of a stumbling Jeremy walking into the woods, she caught Elena's eyes, who saw the exact same thing and they gave each other the look, before following him into the woods.

"Jeremy! Jeremy!" Elena yelled after him, storming through the woods.

"Easy Lena," Brea called as she stumbled her way over tree roots. "Jeremy, where the hell are you going?" she growled as she tripped again.

"I don't want to hear it!" Jeremy snapped back at his sisters.

"Yeah, well, too bad!" Elena yelled back as Jeremy fell over. Watching her brother fall up ahead made Brea let out a laugh, that sent her tumbling to the ground as well.

"Vicki, no! Oh, my god, it's Vicki!" she heard Jeremy gasp in shock.

"Oh, my god," Elena breathed.

"What? What? What's happening?" Brea asked quickly pulling herself up and running up to them. "Oh, my god, Vicki!" she gasped, slapping her hands over her mouth as she saw Matt's sister groaning on the ground covered in blood.

"Somebody help!" Elena and Brea yelled as they got back to the bonfire, Jeremy and Elena who were carrying Vicki, laid her down on a table. \

"Matt!" Brea screamed.

"Vicki? Vicki, what the hell?!" he exclaimed as he came up and saw the state of his sister.

"What happened to her? Somebody, call an ambulance!" was shouted out by a whole bunch of people. But Brea's eyes were stuck on Stefan's as his face wasn't one of shock, but of recognition and anger. He then suspiciously ran away from the party, Brea looked over at Matt and saw he was watching the same behaviour Brea was and looked just as confused as her.

Elena and Brea walked up to Jeremy who was swigging beer out of the bottle.

"You ok?" Elena asked.

"Dude there's cops here, be subtle," Brea said nudging Jeremy as he took another swig.

"We called Jenna, she's on her way," Elena told Jeremy. Jeremy just ignored both of them and threw his bottle over his shoulder.

"Litterbug," Brea half-heartedly teased.

"People are going to stop giving you breaks, Jer," Elena said. "They just don't care anymore. They don't remember that our parents are dead because they've got their own lives to deal with. The rest of the world has moved on. You should try, too." Brea winced, poor choice of words.

"I've seen you in the cemetery writing in your diary. Is that… is that supposed to be you moving on?" Jeremy questioned. "The only one who is really trying is Brea. But she's just doing it for the both of us," Jeremy countered. "So don't lecture me, this is how I'm coping."

"Mom and dad wouldn't have wanted this," Elena said sadly as Jenna pulls up.

"Come on," Brea said grabbing Jeremy's elbow and helping him stand as she walked him to the car.

Brea walked through the corridors the next day at school only to be stopped by Tyler grabbing her arm.

"Ty! What the hell?" she asked smiling as she spun around.

"You've got to control your brother Brea."

"What'd he do now?" she sighed, running a hand down her face.

"He threatened to kill me," Tyler scoffed.

"HE WHAT!" Brea roared in anger.

"I was flirting with some girls and he got all up in my face about Vicki and then threatened to kill me. I can't restrain myself much more Brea. I don't want to hit him because he's your brother and he's just a kid, but I'm an angry guy. I'm going to snap soon."

"Please Ty. Please don't. He's going through such a hard time," Brea said desperately. "He's struggling so much and we can't help him but please. Please. Don't hit him. It'll just make things worse for him."

Tyler freaked at his upset friend and grabbed her shoulders, "Brea, hey, hey. I won't hit him first at least. I will defend myself if he comes at me. But I won't make the first hit ok?" he offered and Brea nodded.

Elena, Caroline, Bonnie and Brea were sat at a table outside the Mystic Grill as they discussed the upcoming comet and Stefan.

"Well, I was talking to Grams, and she said the comet is a sign of impending doom," Bonnie threw in. "The last time it passed over Mystic Falls, there was lots of death. So much blood and carnage, it created a bed of paranormal activity."

"Spooky," Brea smiled, waving her fingers in Bonnie's face, only to have them slapped away playfully.

"Yeah, and then you poured Grams another shot and she told you about the aliens," Caroline said dismissively. "So then what?" she asked Elena, wanting to resume the conversation about Stefan.

"So then nothing," she shrugged.

"You and Stefan talked all night? There was no sloppy first kiss or touchy-feely of any kind?" Caroline asked doubtfully.

"Nope. We didn't go there. Brea!" Elena snapped at her sister causing Brea to look up from her drink. "Stop blowing bubbles in your drink, you are driving me insane," Brea smirked and then continued to blow bubbles in her cola causing Elena to reach over and snatch the drink from her hand.

"Hey!" she whined in protest but Elena just ignored her.

"Not even a handshake?" Caroline kept pushing. "I mean, Elena, we are your friends. Ok? You are supposed to share the smut."

"I don't want to hear the smut," Brea grumbled, crossing her arms.

"We just talked for hours," Elena said handing the cola back to a sulking Brea with a fake smile.

"Ok, what is with the blockage? Just jump his bones already!" Caroline suggested.

"Caroline! Please," Brea spluttered as she choked on her drink. The last thing she wanted to talk about was her sister's sex life.

Caroline rolled her eyes and continued, "Ok it's easy. Boy likes girl, girl likes boy, sex!" This caused Brea to kick Caroline under the table.

"Profound," Elena replied with an eye roll before looking down for a moment before she sighed and began gathering her things.

"Where are you going?" Bonnie asked.

"Caroline's right."

"No, she's not," Brea stammered.

"It is easy. If I sit here long enough, I'll end up talking myself out of it, instead of doing what I started the day saying I was going to do," she said standing up grabbing her sister's hand pulling her up.

"No, no, no, I don't want to be there for that," Brea yelled as Elena started dragging her away. "What about my drink? Elena, you can't do this to me! Guys," she called out, hoping Bonnie or Caroline would help her, but they'd already started a new conversation, leaving Brea resigned to her fate.

"Ok, you forced me here, but why do I need to come in?" Brea pleaded with Elena.

"Moral support," she breathed.

"Ok, I get it, we're close, but I didn't think we were the sort of twins who had to witness each other's first kiss with a new guy."

Elena rolled her eyes before stepping into Stefan's home. "Stefan?" she called.

"Elena!" Brea whispered harshly, "no one let us in." Brea groaned before stepping over the threshold and catching up with her sister.

"Stefan?" she called out again. Brea and Elena then proceeded to look in awe at the living room in front of them before they heard a creaking sound and turned to see the front door now wide open.

"Creepy, let's go," Brea suggested. As she said this, a raven flew into the house causing the girls to spin around in fright and almost slam into a man's chest.

"I...I'm sorry for barging in. The door was…" Elena said as she turned around to see the front door now closed, "open."

"You two must be Elena and Brenna," the man said.

"And you're Damon? Stefan's brother?" Brea asked before whispering under her breath "how do I know that?" as he nodded with a smirk.

"He didn't tell me he had a brother," Elena stuttered, "he told you?" she asked Brenna causing her to shrug in response.

"Well, Stefan's not one to brag," Damon retorted.

"Brag," Brea snorted, "yeah, right. Oh my god, I am so sorry," she then said in shock unaware of how those words slipped out of her mouth.

"Please, come," Damon ushered the girls further into the house. "I'm sure Stefan will be along any second."

"Wow, this is your living room?" Elena asked in shock and the twins looked around in awe.

"Living room, parlour, Sotheby's auction. It's a little kitschy for my taste," Damon confirmed.

"I love it!" Brea gasped as she walked over to a bookcase.

"I see why my brother's so smitten," Damon said, drawing Elena in. "It's about time. For a while there, I never thought he'd get over the last one. Nearly destroyed him."

"The last one?" Elena asked a little upset as Brea glared daggers at Damon.

"Yeah," Damon remarked. "Katherine, his girlfriend?"

At this Brea's eyes widened in recognition, "Katherine?" she asked as Damon tilted his head at her as if he was studying her before smiling in confirmation.

Damon then turned his attention back to Elena, "Oh, you two haven't had the awkward exes conversation yet," Damon said as Elena popped out a nope. "Oops. Well, I'm sure it'll come up now." This caused Brea to resume glaring. "Or maybe he didn't want to tell you because he didn't want you to think he was on the rebound. We all know how those relationships end"

"You say it like every relationship is doomed to end," Elena scoffed.

"I'm a fatalist."

"Yeah well you sound like a narcissist," Brea quipped, coming back to stand with Elena and Damon smirked at her.

"Hello Stefan," Damon said without looking away from the two girls causing them to spin around to look at him.

"Elena, Brenna," Stefan coldly greeted them, too busy glaring at Damon. "I didn't know you two were coming over."

"I know, I should have called I just..." Elena started.

"Oh don't be silly. You're welcome any time. Aren't they Stefan?" Damon interrupted making Brea close her eyes in irritation. Stefan didn't say anything just continued glaring at Damon causing the girls to look at him funny. "You know, I should break out the family photo albums, or some home movies. But, I have to warn you, he wasn't always such a looker," even though Brea wasn't sure about Damon and he was making her mad, she inadvertently let out a giggle causing him to smile.

"Thank you for stopping by, Elena. Nice to see you," Stefan cut in before going back to ignoring Elena.

"Yeah, we should probably go," Brea said trying to interrupt the silence.

Elena turned to Damon, "It was nice to meet you, Damon."

"Great meeting you, too, Elena. Nice seeing you, Brenna," he replied before kissing both girls hands, causing Elena to raise her eyebrows at the antiquated gesture, but Brea seemed to be at ease with the act.

"Bye," Brea muttered as she and Elena went to leave but paused in front of Stefan hoping he'd say something to Elena.

"Stefan?" Elena asked, "Stefan?" he didn't say anything however, he just moved to the side to let the girls pass causing them to both looked shocked as they left the boarding house.

"What an ass!" Brea scowled as they got in the car.

Mystic Falls, 1864

" Katherine, must we stay here?" Brenna asked.

" Yes, we must my darling sister. Those Salvatore men look positively delicious," Katherine giggled in the carriage.

" Katherine, this is the first place I died. It is not a place I ever wanted to return to," Brenna countered.

Katherine's eyes grew serious. "You will not die here. I promise. No one knows we're here, Brenna. I go by a different name. Word won't spread to the originals."

" It's not them I fear Katherine, they are my family too."

" But I am your sister."

" Yes, you are. That is why I do not tell them where you are and avoid them for the lifetimes I spend with you. That does not mean I want to return to Mystic Falls," Brenna scowled as she looked out the window of the carriage.

" I'm sorry," Katherine said feeling guilty for her sister's sadness. She immediately perked up when the carriage entered the Salvatore Estate. "We're here Brenna, Emily!" The three girls were helped out of the carriage and Brenna couldn't help noticing Katherine look Stefan up and down.

" You must be the Pierce sisters," Stefan greeted.

" Please, call us Katherine and Brenna," Katherine said with a curtsy.

At this Brea flung her head up as she awoke from her dream. Why had Stefan been in her dream? And why was Elena's name Katherine? Why was her dream set back in what seems the 1800's? Why was it so real? Brea dismissed these thoughts and stumbled downstairs to get a glass of water.

Brea plonked herself down in the seat next to Tyler at the comet event the next night and sighed.

"Hey, Gilbert."

"Hey, Lockwood," Brea said as she watched Elena walk off alone from Stefan. "Oh well, that didn't go well."

"No it did not," he smirked getting an elbow from Brenna. "Grill?"

"Sounds good. We're going to the Grill guys," she announced as everyone stood up to go. "Elena?" she asked concerned.

"I'm fine, let's go," Elena said as she reached the group.

"So think I can win another $20 off you tonight in a game of pool?" Tyler asked cockily.

"In your dreams. I'm winning that money back."

"You're on." Just as they found a table to gather around in the Grill Jeremy came running up to them.

"Hey, has anyone seen Vicki?"

"You're her stalker. You tell us," Tyler snapped and Brea flicked his ear.

"I can't find her."

"She probably found someone else to party with. Sorry, pill pusher, I guess you've been replaced."

"What's with the pill pusher?" Elena asked, immediately springing into supervisor mode.

"Ask him," Tyler shrugged.

Elena and Brea both turned their dagger glares at Jeremy.

"You wanna do this right now?" Jeremy challenged Tyler.

"Are you dealing?" Elena growled angrily.

"She's never gonna go for you," Tyler mocked.

"She already did. Over and over and over again."

"JEREMY!" Brea yelled.

"Yeah, right," Tyler scoffed.

"You slept with Vicki Donovan?" Caroline butted in. "I mean, Vicki Donovan slept with you?"

"There's no way," Tyler said.

"I didn't even have to force her into it."

"Jeremy that is enough!" Brea yelled getting up. "Sorry Matt," she apologised to a shell-shocked Matt. Brea grabbed Jeremy's pinky and twisted it to get him to follow her. "Seriously Jer, dealing?" she snapped, shoving his shoulder angrily as they huddled in a corner of the Grill. "Are you joking? I've given you so much freedom to heal your own way, but you're taking it too far."

"Is that your game now?" Elena snarled.

"I'm not dealing," Jeremy denied.

"Well, then what the hell is he talking about Jer!" Brea snapped.

"Look, I'm sick of the tough love speech, Jer. It's clearly having no impact," Elena argued.

"You and Jenna, between the two of you it's enough already. Brea's the only one who lets me be me."

"No way. I'm in their camp now. No more nice, pushover sister. I've had enough," Brea said shaking her head.

"We can stop if you want. Send you to a therapist, where you'll be forced to deal with it, or to rehab where you'll sit in a group and tell some stranger how you let your life fall apart," Elena suggested. "Or you could talk to us."

"I vote for none of the above," Jeremy said before walking off.

"Let's just deal with it later Lena, there's nothing we can do for him tonight. I'm going home, I've had enough," Brea huffed and Elena nodded and the girls walked off to go home.

As they got home they went upstairs to see Jenna rummaging through Jeremy's room.

"It's me the hypocrite patrol," Jenna said as they walked into the room.

"What are you doing?" Brea asked.

"I've become my worst nightmare."

"A frog!" Brea gasped jokingly.

"The authority figure."

"Oh much worse."

"I am violating a 15-year-old's privacy. Jackpot," she said pulling out Jeremy's drug paraphernalia. "I see the hiding places haven't gotten any more creative."

"What brought this on?" Elena asked.

"Your ass-hat of a history teacher shamed me good yesterday."

"Tanner?" Brea asked and Jenna nodded. "Yeah, he is an ass hat."

"You got Tannered. Been there," Elena agreed.

"I haven't," Brea said smugly.

"Yeah that's because you're a history nerd," Elena eye-rolled.

"'Discover the impossible, Miss Sommers'," Jenna said with a man voice, "got it, thanks. Like I didn't know I was screwing up."

"You're not screwing up, Aunt Jenna," Elena smiled softly.

"Yes, I am. You know why? Because I'm not her. She made everything look so easy," Jenna said getting upset. "You know, high school, marriage, having you guys. I can't do it. I'm gonna say or do the wrong thing, and he's gonna get worse, and it's gonna be my fault." Jenna sat down exasperated. "It's impossible."

"This is just the fear talking," Elena comforted. "You're a little scared, that's all. We all are. I have to go do something." Jenna nodded. "But are you going to be ok?" she nodded again.

"I'm here, I can comfort too," Brea threw in offended.

"Question still stands Jenna," Elena smiled and Jenna laughed at the girls arguing as Elena got up and left.

"Movie and popcorn?" Brea suggested.

"I am so in."

"Beauty and the Beast?"

"Couldn't think of a better one," Jenna said with a smile as the aunt and niece made their way downstairs.

Chapter Text

EDITED AUG21

"Hey losers," Brea smiled as she walked up to Tyler and Matt at school

"Look," Tyler said as Brea approached the boys. "There's Elena and her new boyfriend."

"He's nice," Brea said.

"Now what are they doing? Oh, they're walking, walking, walking. Yep. Right into the sunset" Tyler said, taunting Matt.

"Ha! Funny," Brea laughed mockingly.

"You're a dick," Matt scowled.

"Yeah Ty, they only just started dating. I'm still voting for my good friend Matty over here," Brea said, throwing an arm around Matt's shoulder, making him smirk.

"You're just standing there looking like one of those little yard trolls," Tyler continued taunting.

"Gnomes," Matt corrected.

"He's doing the right thing, Ty. Matthew is a gentleman," Brea argued before she leaned closer to Matt and whispered "good one," sarcastically.

"And what am I supposed to do Ty, she made her choice," Matt argued.

"And you're a great guy for respecting that. Ty over here is an ass."

"Let her know she made the wrong one."

"Tyler," Brea warned as Tyler caught the ball they were throwing.

"What are you doing?" Matt irritatedly. "Ty, don't. Ty. Don't. Ty!" Matt yelled, knowing what he was about to do. Before anyone could stop him, Tyler threw the ball straight at the back of Stefan's head.

"TYLER YOU ASS!" Brea yelled. Before the ball could hit Stefan, he quickly turned around and caught the ball about to hit him. Everyone who saw gasped in awe. Stefan then threw the ball back with such force that Tyler grunted when he caught it, attracting even more people's attention. Brea stormed away from the boys in anger walking past Elena and Stefan. "That was awesome Stefan!" she congratulated as she passed, as she walked she began feeling a sense of deja vu.

As soon as Brea sat down in Tanner's class she fell into a daydream.

Brenna and Katherine walked outside the Salvatore Mansion to see Damon and Stefan playing a ball sport.

" What are the rules? What are the rules?" Stefan asked avoiding Damon chasing him.

" Who needs rules?" Katherine called out.

" Yes, they do make life very boring," Brenna giggled.

" Mind if we join you?" Katherine asked.

"Ah, ok you could, ah, you could get hurt, my brother likes to play rough," Stefan stuttered getting closer to Katherine.

Katherine giggled at this while walking forward, "somehow I think that you play rougher," Katherine then snatched the ball from Stefan's hands and ran off, taking Brenna's hand so as to drag her along as they ran off in fits of giggles.

"Miss Gilbert? Miss Gilbert," Tanners voice snapped her out of her daydream.

"Sorry um what was the question?"

"Pearl Harbour?"

"1941," Brenna answered and Tanner nodded.

"December 7th, 1941," Stefan elaborated.

"Thank you, Miss Gilbert," Tanner sneered.

"Anytime," Stefan responded.

"Very well," Tanner challenged. "The wall of the Berlin Wall."

"1989, I'm good with dates sir."

"Are you? How good? Keep it to the year. Civil rights act."

"1964. "

Once Brea determined that the attention was now off her, she looked down at her notebook only to widen her eyes as she realised she had unknowingly written one word all over the page, 'Kol'. Brea's eyes widened and she ripped the page out.

"Oh my god I'm so late," Brea puffed as she ran up to Bonnie and Elena at cheerleading practice. "Where's Caroline?" she asked looking around. "I sprinted here, I was terrified of the wrath of Caroline and she's not even here!"

"I'll try her again," Bonnie said dialling on her phone.

Elena spotted an old mustang pull up blaring music and nudged Brea as she spotted Caroline in the passenger seat.

"Oh my god," Bonnie exclaimed. "That must be the mystery guy from the grill."

"That's not a mystery guy," Elena huffed.

"That's Damon Salvatore," Brea finished.

"Salvatore! As in Stefan?" Bonnie asked as Elena nodded.

'I got the other brother, hope you don't mind," Caroline bragged as she walked past Elena. "Sorry, I'm late girls. I, uh, was busy."

"I was on time!" Brea yelled and Caroline just shook her head.

"Brea!" Elena yelled as Brea walked in the door. "Where were you? We were worried, you missed dinner."

"Oh bugger I'm sorry," Brea groaned. She forgot she'd promised Elena she'd be there for dinner with Stefan and Bonnie. "Matt wanted help with history. Oh, hey Damon, Caroline," she waved as she saw them all sitting in the front room.

"Hey," Caroline said hurriedly as Brea came and sat down. "Oh my god Brea, you will not believe it! Tanner let Stefan on the team! I cannot believe that Mr Tanner let you on the team," Caroline exclaimed. "Oh, Tyler must be seething. But, good for you. Go for it."

"That's what I always tell him. You have to engage. You can't just sit there and wait for life to come to you. You have to go get it," Damon preached.

"Wise words," Brea remarked with a shrug causing Damon to smirk.

"Yeah, Elena wasn't so lucky today. It's only because you missed summer camp. God, I don't know how you're ever going to learn the routines."

"I missed summer camp, I caught up," Brea shrugged irritably.

"We'll work with her. She'll get it," Bonnie agreed.

"I guess we can put her in the back." Both Elena and Brea turned their heads slowly to glare at Caroline.

"You don't seem like the cheerleader type, Elena," Damon noticed.

"Oh, it's just 'cause her parents died. Yeah, I mean, she's just totally going through a blah phase. She used to be way more fun, same as Brea."

"Caroline!" Brea yelled in anger while Elena shrunk down in her seat.

"And I say that with complete sensitivity," Caroline said quickly. At this Brea scoffed out loud and stormed up to her room and went to bed.

Brea's dream that night had no images. It was just voices.

" Always and forever," a girl spoke.

" I love you," a man spoke.

" You are the only one I can confide in," a different man whispered.

" I need your help love," another voice said.

"Brenna, I give you my word ," another man laughed.

These words played on repeat until Brea snapped awake with a gasp before rolling over and falling into a noiseless, dreamless sleep.

"Where is your sister?" Caroline snapped. Brea just shrugged her shoulders dismissively, not in the mood to talk to Caroline after the previous night. "Look I'm sorry alright. I had no tact. It was rude and heartless and I'm sorry ok." Brea nodded in acceptance, she wasn't in a chatty mood.

"Elena quit," Brea told Caroline.

"She can't quit cheerleading!"

"Well she did, you probably put her off it last night."

"There she is! I'll go talk to her."

"Be nice!" Brea yelled after Caroline before whipping out her phone and texting 'RUN!" to Elena. Elena saw the message and turned around confused only to come face to face with Caroline Forbes and realisation dawned on her.

Brea saw a fight break out at the pep rally and ran over only to see Jeremy and Tyler brawling on the ground.

"JER!" Brea yelled in concern as Tyler attacked him. Vicki and Brea both screamed at Tyler to stop and Brea's voice was getting more and more panicked. Brea then got hysterical and tried to run at the fight to pull Tyler off her brother but Stefan grabbed her arm before she got too close and pulled her back out of harm's way.

"I'll help, stay out here ok," he reassured her. "Hey, he's down! Enough!" he started yelling at Tyler before catching his fist. Tyler then punched Stefan's stomach, but Stefan didn't even flinch. Elena then arrived beside Brea.

"Jeremy no!" she yelled and Brea gasped as they saw Jeremy swing a broken bottle at Tyler, Stefan threw Tyler to the ground and Jeremy sliced Stefan's hand. Matt tackled Tyler as Jeremy stared in shock at what he'd done.

Brea and Elena ran to Jeremy. "What the hell, Jeremy?" Elena asked as she grabbed his face inspecting his injuries. "Put your head up, you're bleeding."

"I'm fine!" he snapped back.

"Yeah, you smell fine," she snapped.

"Just stop, ok?" he said as he walked away and Brea snapped out of it and ran after him.

"Jer!"

"Not you too ok, sorry I got in a fight with your loser friend but he deserved it."

Brea just grabbed Jeremy and pulled him into a hug crying. "Please don't do that again," she begged. "I can't lose you too," Jeremy just wrapped his arms around his sister feeling guilty and they stood like that for a few minutes before she pulled away. "Go get yourself cleaned up ok?" she asked and he nodded and walked away. She then let out a breath and returned to the cheerleading group.

"Where have you been!" Caroline yelled at Brea as she arrived.

"Not now, Caroline," Caroline saw the look on her friends face and went up to her pulling her to the side.

"You're shaking," she said rubbing her hands down Brea's arm.

"It's Jeremy. I just can't stop thinking that the way he's acting, the drugs, and just everything. I can't help worrying he's going to end up dead, like mom and dad. I can't lose anyone else Care," she said tearing up again.

"Brea, Brenna, it's ok. We can do it without you tonight, go home. I'll meet you there after the game and we can have a bit of girl talk," Brea nodded her head and went off to find Elena.

She found Elena storming off from Damon, "he tried to kiss me," she exclaimed as she got to Brea.

"No way!" Brea gasped. "What a major dick."

"You got that right."

Brea scoffed at Damon's arrogance. "Look Lena sorry, but I'm going home. I just need some time tonight."

"Yeah ok. I'll see you at home then," she nodded and Brea walked off.

Brea spotted Tyler about to walk into the locker rooms and stormed over to him and shoved him. "You and me. We're done. Go to hell Lockwood," she spat before storming off home.

As Brea was walking home, a car she recognised as Damon's pulled up and rolled at the same speed as she walked.

"Need a ride," he asked.

"Nope."

"Come on, I know where you live, I'll drop you off. Saves you the walk."

"I'm fine, thanks."

"Brenna," he said coming to a stop and she stopped as well and turned to look at him. "There was an animal attack again. At the school. One of your teachers is dead. Get in the car, please. I'd feel awful if you got hurt walking home. Please?" at this she sighed and nodded going to get in the car.

"Thanks, I guess. You can just call me Brea by the way," she mumbled. It was silent for a while as they drove but she caught Damon sneaking glances at her. "Have we met before the other day?" she asked.

"Why would you ask that?" he said with a sideways smile.

"I don't know," she said facing the road. "You just seem really familiar to me. I don't know, I just feel like I know you somehow. Like if I've known you for a while actually," she mumbled again. She turned to look at him only to now, instead of seeing a smirk, she saw a sad face.

"Brenna," he whispered, before clearly changing his mind about what he was about to say and putting his signature smirk back on. "Well Brenna, you just remind me of an old friend, a really good one at that," he said as they pulled up in front of her house.

"Thanks for the ride."

"No problem, wouldn't want you out there with a murderous animal now would we?" he winked.

Brenna sat up in bed fast with a gasp and started crying, Katherine ran into her room.

" Are you ok?" she asked looking around.

" I… remember," she whimpered between sobs.

" Remember what? Who?" Katherine asked sitting on the bed.

" Rebekah, Elijah, Finn, Klaus and," Brenna stopped. "I remember meeting them, you said with the spell that your witch cast my memories would come back fast and I wouldn't have to wait for them to trickle in. But this was so real Katherine. It was like I was there."

" It was real, Brenna. It was real," she sympathised grabbing her hand. "It's always difficult watching you remember. It pains me. I'm sorry Brenna."

" I remember Kol."

At this name, Brea flew up in her bed with a gasp. She'd been having strange dreams for days now. This one was different however, it was from a different time period. The other ones had been from what seemed to be the 1800's. Brea couldn't grasp the time period of this dream, but it seemed early. She took another deep breath and rolled over to get a few more hours sleep.

"Scumball," Brea whispered.

"Scumball," Jenna repeated louder.

"Scumbucket," Brea whispered to her aunt again.

"Scumbucket," Jenna again repeated louder.

"Who are you guys talking to?" Elena asked as she walked past.

"Him," Jenna replied obviously.

"Logan Fell," Brea elaborated with a scowl.

"The news guy?" Elena asked.

"Also known as Logan 'scum' Fell," Jenna confirmed.

"Hear, hear," scoffed Brea causing the other girls to smile. "I taught her the 'scum' Fell thing," Brea told Elena proudly with a smile.

"Did your mom ever tell you why I moved away from Mystic Falls?" Jenna asked Elena.

"Oh, no way! You and him?" Elena asked. "He's cute."

"He is not cute. There's nothing cute about him," Jenna scowled

"Well, I mean, come on, Aunt Jenna. You must've found him cute at one time to go out with him," Brea said taking a seat.

"Shh, you."

"How did you know about him, Brea?" Elena asked.

"I was a very attentive 7-year-old, duh," Brea answered and Elena just raised her eyebrows. "Ok, fine, when Aunt Jenna found out he cheated on her I was the first one she saw, had to be a therapist sorta for that whole situation. Hated the guy ever since," Brea scowled.

"What are you doing with that?" Jenna asked Elena as she pulled out all the family heirlooms.

"We went yesterday and got it from the safe deposit box. Mom had told Mrs. Lockwood, she would loan it to the founder's council for their heritage display."

"Is that Grandma Beth's wedding ring?" Jenna asked pulling out the ring to look at it before handing it to Brea.

"Originally it was great, great-grandma Mary's wedding ring."

"So old," Brenna shuddered. "Hey Jer," she greeted as he came in.

"How much do you think this stuff is worth? You know, like on eBay?" he asked.

"You're not gonna find out," Elena said snatching the watch out of Jeremy's hand.

"You could probably make more selling it to the council, sentimental value and all," Brea responded and Elena snatched the wedding ring straight out of her hands while glaring.

"Not funny," Elena chastised.

"That stuff is mom and dads. You can't just give it away," Jeremy said annoyed.

"I'm not giving it away. It's called a loan, Jeremy." At that, the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," Elena sighed.

"Want to go to the grill Jer?" Brea asked.

"Yeah sure thing I guess," he mumbled.

"Give me a minute then we'll go?"

Brea pulled out her phone and called Matt.

"Hello," he answered.

"Heyyy Matty."

"Ok, what do you need?"

"You free tomorrow night?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Brilliant, you're coming to the founder's party with me."

"Urgh, why me?"

"You love me?" Brea tried.

"How about Tyler?"

"Don't mention the 'T' word Matthew. Please," she begged.

"Fine," he groaned.

"Thanks and grab a suit. See you tomorrow."

She then hung up before he could protest.

Brea and Jeremy were sitting at the bar of the Grill drinking a cola. "You took it? Didn't you?" Brea asked.

"What do you mean?" he asked quickly.

"Jer, that's meant to be your pocket watch, I saw the way you looked at it. It's only fair you get it."

He smirked and nodded. "Yeah, I took it," he said making Brea smile. As soon as Tyler and Vicki walked past Jeremy called out to her, "you do realise you had to ask him to ask you, right? You figure if you dress up like a respectable young lady, he'll finally treat you like one?'

"Screw you, Jeremy," Vicki glared.

"You know you're making the wrong choice, yet you make it anyway. It's sad."

Vicki walked off with a scoff.

"Well, that was awkward. Want to go?" Brea asked Jeremy nodded and they paid and went to leave. Tyler noticed Brea and started to make his way over to her, Brea glared daggers at him and Jeremy noticed, so he put his hand on her back and the siblings raced out before Tyler could come near them.

"Race you!" she challenged Jeremy when they heard the doorbell the next day and they both jumped up from the couch and sprinted for the door. Jeremy pulled it open and their laughs and smiles faded as soon as they saw Tyler standing on the other side. Jeremy immediately went to close it but Tyler stopped him.

"I'm here for my mom. I was supposed to pick up a box of stuff."

"Right here," Elena said bringing the antiques to the door. "Please be careful."

"Yeah, be careful with it, dick," Jeremy sassed.

"Yeah, dick," Brea encouraged.

"Hey! Not now, ok, guys? Please?" Elena pleaded.

"I'm fine. He's just being a punk," Tyler defended.

"Oh go to hell Tyler," Brea snapped.

"I got your punk," Jeremy added and Brea high-fived him.

"Look Tyler, maybe you should go. Tell your mom that I'll see her tonight," Elena suggested before walking off.

"Yeah, see ya dick," Jeremy smirked victoriously.

"Wait, Brea, can we talk?" Tyler asked before they could slam the door in his face.

"Nope!," she snapped and turned around and walked back to the dining room where Bonnie and Elena waited. "Are we gossiping?" Brea asked.

"Yes, we are. But this has to go in the vault because Caroline will kill me if it gets back to Damon that she squealed. Apparently, Stefan has a very interesting backstory. Do you know what happened with his ex-girlfriend Katherine?" Bonnie asked, leaning forward, excited she had gossip to share.

"I know that they both dated her and that's why they have issues."

"What kind of girl goes out with two brothers, that's cold-hearted," Brea scoffed.

"Yeah, they both dated her, only she chose Damon and that drove Stefan mad, so he did horrible things to try and break them up. He manipulated Katherine. He filled her head with all these lies until finally it worked and she turned against Damon."

"That sounds like one person's side of the story, meaning Damon's," Elena frowned as she tried to defend her boyfriend.

"Yeah, it's very suss Bon. I think their issues are more deeply rooted than competing for a girl's affections," Brea agreed.

"I just wanted you to know," Bonnie said holding her hands up.

"Anyway his past relationships are none of my business," Elena smiled softly.

"Unless he's a calculating, manipulative liar. Then it is your business."

"Stefan is none of those things."

"Sorry Bon, I agree with Lena. He just seems… good," Brea said trying to help diffuse the situation.

"How do you know?" Bonnie asked as Elena sat dumbfounded.

The girls were upstairs doing their makeup when the phone rang. "Your turn," Brea said as Elena went to answer it. When Brea heard the name 'Mrs Lockwood' spoken she knew it was about the missing pocket watch. "Uh oh," she said as Bonnie gave her a look and Elena stormed through the bathroom.

"What's wrong?" Bonnie asked as Brea chased Elena.

"Elena, wait," she called as she saw her smack the headphones off of Jeremy's head.

"Ahh! God, what now?" he asked exasperatedly.

"The pocket watch. Where is it?" she demanded angrily.

"What watch?" Jeremy asked.

"The one you stole from mom's box," she said as Jeremy looked at Brea accusingly.

"Hey, Mrs Lockwood, not me buddy."

"Look, Mrs Lockwood just called me, freaking out. It was on the list, Jeremy. And she can't find it, and she thinks she's the one who lost it."

"Maybe she did. Maybe Tyler took it."

"Yeah, Tyler probably took it. That punk," Brea agreed but failed to convince Elena.

"Don't even play that card, Jeremy you took it. If I go online, am I going to find it on eBay? Is that how you pay for your pot?" she asked as Brea winced sucking in a breath.

"Screw you," he snapped getting up and pulling it out of its hiding place. "I would never sell this ok?"

"Then why did you take it?" she asked.

"Because it's supposed to be mine. Dad said it goes to the firstborn son. His father gave it to him, and now what?" he slapped the watch into Elena's hand pushing her shoulder on his way past.

"And he was going to give it to you," she said in realisation.

"Yeah."

"Look, Jeremy, it's still yours, ok? Mom promised Mrs Lockwood, what do you want me to do?"

"Just take it and get out."

"Sorry Jer," Brea whispered as he gave her a small smile before she left.

After a while at the party, Matt and Brea ran into Jenna.

"Jenna, lovely to see you again," Matt sweet-talked.

"You look positively miserable," Brea pointed out to her aunt.

"Scumfell's here," she whined. "He asked me out to lunch."

"No," Brea exclaimed.

"I'm confused," Matt said.

"Total douchebag, we hate him" Brea explained.

"Noted," Matt smiled.

"Just avoid the scumbucket and all will be fine," Brea's phone buzzed and she checked it.

E - Front couches ASAP.

"Hey I'll be back in a minute, Elena needs something," she said to Matt before leaving.

"I'm a doubt planter," she heard the end of Bonnie's sentence.

"What happened?" Brea asked.

"It's not your fault. I just… I feel terrible because I said that I wouldn't get in the middle of it and then that's exactly what I did. I got all snotty."

"Ohhh Katherine stuff," Brea said in realisation.

"Elena, Brea, honey there you two are. I noticed the watch still isn't in the collection," Mrs Lockwood asked as she approached the sisters.

"Oh, I'm sorry Mrs Lockwood. I couldn't find it. I guess it's still packed up in my parent's stuff somewhere," Elena covered.

"I see," Mrs Lockwood said. "Well please let me know if either of you finds it," she said walking off.

"You gave it back?" Brea smiled and Elena nodded. "You did the right thing. I'm going to the bathroom."

"I'll come, Bonnie?" Elena asked and Bonnie shook her head and the girls left.

"Hey Care," Brea greeted as they entered the bathroom.

"Hey, so how are things with Stefan?" she asked Elena.

"Great. Just great."

"Really?" Caroline asked in disbelief. "Well, my radar must be off, cause I was getting all sorts of other vibes."

"What is that?" Elena asked Caroline trying to lift her neck scarf.

"Don't," she snapped.

Elena then went again lifting it higher. "Oh my god Caroline, what happened?" Brea saw a massive bite mark on her neck and gasped.

"Nothing, ok?!"

"Caroline that is not nothing, what the hell!" Brea exclaimed in shock.

"Did somebody hurt you?" Elena asked.

"No, ok, nothing. It just… my mom would kill me."

Elena then pulled down her cardigan to see another large bite mark. "Did Damon hurt you?"

"No! Of, course not!"

Elena went to look further when Caroline snapped and yelled "just leave me alone you two!" and stormed out.

"Right, that's it. I'm going to kill him," Brea hissed storming out after her, on a mission to find Damon, Elena hot on her heels.

Elena and Brea found Damon and stormed up to him. Brea slapped him with rage straight away and then Elena pushed him as he looked confused.

"There is something seriously wrong with you. You stay away from Caroline or I will go straight to her mother, the sheriff. You got it? Stay away from her," Elena snarled walking off in a huff.

"If I see you anywhere near her again, I will kill you, you got it? I will end you," Brea hissed before storming off to find Matt.

"Brea!" she heard someone call from behind her.

"Oh Chad, umm hi," she said looking away.

"You look amazing," he smiled.

"Thanks," the pair then went silent. "Have you seen Matt?" she asked.

"Yeah I saw him over with Tyler just before, want to go over there?" he asked.

"Tyler?" she asked and he nodded. "No way then," she laughed. "I'll try his cell," she called Matt but he didn't answer.

"Need a ride home since Matt's MIA?" Chad offered.

"Oh, thanks but…"

"It's fine Brea, I was just leaving, your house is on my way and I can't very well leave you stranded," he said with a crooked smile.

"OK then, thanks Chad," he then started leading her to the car. As the left they passed Jenna who was talking to Logan, Jenna raised an eyebrow at her and Chad and Brea raised an eyebrow at her and Logan. Jenna then whipped out her phone and Brenna heard hers make a noise and checked it.

J - Did we enter a universe where we both suddenly find Fell's attractive again?

Brea smiled reading this and continued walking. Eventually, they got in the car and she sent Matt a message letting him know she left.

"It's nice to spend time with you again Brea, I missed it," Chad said breaking the awkward silence.

"Yeah me too, I've missed talking to you," she said cautiously.

"I mean we haven't really spoken since that night."

"Right," she said looking down.

"I'm sorry Brea. I didn't ever say that to you. I didn't know if you wanted to talk to me. But I'm so sorry for your loss."

"Thanks," she said as she got teary. The rest of the trip was silent until they reached the Gilbert home and Chad pulled over. "Thanks for the ride Chad."

"Yeah anytime, see you around I guess," Brea could see he was thinking something over and then he quickly lent forward and kissed her cheek.

"Yeah, see you around Chad" she whispered before getting out of the car and heading inside to go to bed.

Chapter Text

EDITED AUG21

"Miss, miss, miss, miss," Brea chanted at Matt as they played pool at the Grill after school. He then missed the shot. "Haha, you suck Matt," Brea teased.

"Just have your shot Gilbert. Even with your distracting, I'll still wipe the floor with you," he teased as Brea lined up her shot. "So when are you going to talk to Tyler?" he asked just as she took her shot causing her to miss.

"Talk about distracting," she groaned. "Well Matt, never. Never planning on it."

"Hey guys, have you seen Stefan?" Elena asked coming up to ask them and Brea's eyes went wide at the fact she just asked her ex where her new boyfriend was.

"Nope," Matt replied quickly and Elena started to walk away. "But if you want to kill some time, you can rack. Help out your sister. Come on, we haven't played in forever. I'll let you break," Matt enticed.

"Fine, although sticking me on Brea's team isn't exactly selling it," Elena giggled.

"Oh, Matt guess what Elena saw this morning! Traumatising from what I hear," Brea exclaimed.

"Oh yeah! Jeremy and Vicki," Elena explained. "I got up this morning and there's Vicki all nonchalant in the bathroom like it's no big deal that they're hooking up."

"Yeah, I'm not gonna lie. Your brother and my sister, that's weird."

"Beyond weird," Brea agreed.

"How late is he?" Matt asked as he saw Elena check her phone again.

"Hitting the hour mark," she said annoyed.

"He's being a dick. After disappearing for like 4 days he doesn't even show up to explain. Douchebag. Maybe he and Tyler have been hanging out," Brea suggested.

"Nothing's wrong though," Elena said so Matt didn't get any ideas. "Which means I'm not talking boy problems with you."

"That's smart," Brea agreed.

"Good," Matt said sarcastically. "I mean it's not like we were ever best friends or anything."

"Ok," Elena said reluctantly. "Here it goes… what do you think of Stefan? Is he a good guy?" she asked.

"Why? What's he done?" Matt asked concerned.

"Not any one thing. He's just so secretive all the time. I think there's something that he doesn't want me to know, which makes me want to know all the more."

"Yep, we're busybodies, us Gilbert's love sticking our noses where they don't belong," Brenna chirped uncomfortable at the whole situation unfolding before her.

"Like what? Like that he's a serial killer and he keeps a clown suit in his trunk?" Matt laughed.

"Do not joke about clowns Matthew," Brea said sternly as he was well aware of her fear of clowns.

Elena laughed as well, "no, of course not. But what do we know about him, really?"

"He's great at football. A little bit of a loner. And as much as I hate saying it, he might be a nice guy."

"So you think I'm just being paranoid?" Elena asked and Brea stayed quiet and looked away.

"I think you should talk to him," Matt suggested.

"Talk to who?" Stefan asked, from behind Matt and Brea as they turned to look at him. "I'm so sorry that I'm late."

"What happened?" Elena asked.

"I got held up."

"Not a good answer," Brea whispered to Matt.

"Is everything ok?" Elena asked.

"There was this thing with my uncle," he vaguely answered.

"And you couldn't call and tell me that you were going to be an hour late?" Elena scoffed.

"And she makes a good point," Brea again whispered to Matt, making Elena subtly step on her foot to shut her up.

"Ow," Brea moaned.

"Ok. You two have fun," Matt said quickly pulling himself and Brea out of the way as it got more awkward.

Halfway through an episode of Gilmore Girls, Jeremy stormed into her room and sat down on her bed looking sad.

"Are you ok Jer?" she asked sitting up.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.

"Tell you what?" Brea asked concerned.

"You're taking your sleeping pills again. The ones that helped you sleep through the nightmares after the accident."

Brea's eyes went wide at being caught. "How'd you know?"

"Vicki found yours and Elena's pills. The lid wasn't on properly on yours and they've gone down from how they used to be."

"Are you and Vicki taking our pills Jeremy?" she said angrily.

"I didn't take any alright. Vicki had some of Elena's but I took yours away from her. Tell me what's going on Brea please."

"I'm having nightmares again."

"Of the accident?"

"No. Something else. I can't explain it. But, I don't know, it'll sound stupid... it's like a suppressed memory. It just feels so real, and it scares me. It's woken me up every night for weeks. These stop the dreams. I'm scared of them Jeremy," Brea said getting teary.

Jeremy sat in thought for a while and grabbed Brea's hand. "Please try not to take them. I know they help, but you turn into a shell of yourself, they suck out all your personality. You don't need them ok."

"Well now you know how we all feel Jer, don't lecture me on taking these when you're taking every known drug under the sun," she said snatching the pill bottle out of his hands angrily. "I need these ok. I feel like I'm losing my mind with those dreams. You have no right to lecture me on drugs ok, so you can go now," Brea snapped as Jeremy's shoulders sagged and he left the room.

Brea opened the bottle to take one as she was ready for an early night but then thought about what Jeremy said and closed the bottle, not wanting to end up like her drug-dependent brother.

Brea went to bed and had a drugless, dreamless sleep for what felt like the first time in weeks.

Brea was hiding from Caroline at the fundraiser carwash giggling with Dana when she felt a tug on her hair.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, CARE!" Brea protested.

"Top off. Now. It's called sexy suds!"

"It won't be sexy if I have no hair left, let me go," Brea taking off her top as Caroline victoriously let go of her hair. "You are a mean girl sometimes Caroline Forbes," she said running away.

"Hey you, talked to Tyler yet?" Matt taunted as she walked up to him and Bonnie.

"No, but in more important news, Caroline Forbes, my darling best friend, just brutally attacked me!" she exclaimed putting her top back on.

"What do you mean attacked you?" Matt laughed.

"She grabbed my hair! She grabbed and pulled while she ordered me to take off my top because it's 'sexy suds'," Bonnie and Matt both laughed. "It's not funny it hurts! You shouldn't be laughing guys. Especially, you Matthew. You're in the bad books."

"Why's he in the bad books? I don't think he's been in the bad books for the entire 17 years you two have been friends," Bonnie asked.

"He trying to get me to talk to the brother bashing Tyler Lockwood, A.K.A, my old friend and new nemesis."

"I swear you've called half the school cohort your nemesis at some point," Bonnie laughed.

"Ah come on Brea, you'll come around, and he'll apologise, and everything in the Tyler-Brenna world will make sense again. But because I'm a good friend I'll let you know Caroline's making a beeline straight for you," Matt whispered with a smirk and Brea saw her marching towards her and ran away with a yelp.

"Jenna!" Brea yelled as she saw her and Logan talking.

"Hey, kiddo!" Logan greeted her. "I haven't seen you since you were this big," Logan said putting his hand at waist level to demonstrate how short she used to be, making her glare.

"Yeah, puberty happened," she said sarcastically making Jenna elbow her.

"Watch it," she hissed in Brea's ear.

"I'll be back in a minute. Got to check over the segment I just recorded," he said, darting off.

"Come on Brea, he's trying. I'm giving him a go. You should give him a go too. He's very very cute."

"Your car was done an hour ago," Elena said from behind the pair.

"You're saying that out loud why?" Jenna smirked.

"Hi. Elena, right? I think I met you once when you were nine," Logan said coming out from behind the van.

"Cut the sweet talk Fell," Brea whispered from behind Logan. "OW!" she exclaimed as Jenna pinched her arm.

"Nine, your emotional maturity level when we were together," Jenna quipped to Logan trying to move past her niece's attitude.

"Ouch, here I thought we were making process," Logan smiled.

"Is he enough in your good graces that I can ask him for a favour?" Elena asked causing Brea to raise an eyebrow in confusion at what her sister was after.

"If I do her a favour, will I get back in your good graces?" he asked Jenna.

"Uh, a very reluctant maybe to both."

"Done. Wait. One condition. Dinner, tonight, your house."

"Fine. But you're eating leftovers," Jenna interrupted.

"Oh burn leftovers! But give him the pie Jenna! That was awful," Jenna's face dropped as Brea admitted her pie sucked. "Oh I mean it was great. You'll love it, Logan."

"You don't like my cooking?"

"It's not that I don't like it, it's just that I don't love it. I mean you're a better cook than me so you've got that going for you," Brea replied as Jenna smiled victoriously.

"Oh, come on, you're not a bad cook Brea," Elena encouraged.

"Don't lie to her Elena," Jenna laughed. "Didn't you blow up the toaster, the microwave and the oven all in one week when you decided to go on your cooking frenzy?"

"Jenna! You swore you'd never let Elena find that out!" Brea gasped.

"What do you need?" Logan finally asked Elena, ending the bickering.

"Do you have access to old news stories, say, the fifties?"

"Yeah, at the station. Between the archives and the internet, we pretty much have everything."

"I have this report way past due, it'd be a lifesaver," Elena explained as Brea raised an eyebrow in confusion, knowing no report was due.

"Heading there now. Let's go," Logan suggested walking off to the van.

"If anyone asks, you don't know where I went. I don't want Caroline to know that I left," she said to Jenna and Brea whilst grabbing her bag.

Brea leant down and whispered, "we don't have a report, what are you up to?" Elena stood up and gave her twin a look that said, 'I'll explain later' before walking off. "Aunt Jenna I'd just like to say that my report is not past due because I got it in when it was due. You know what that means?"

"That you're goody two shoes?"

"You have to say I am the better twin!"

"Fine, you're the better twin…"

"Yes!"

"When it comes to being arrogant," Jenna finished.

"Hey!" Brea yelled as Jenna walked off. Brenna looked around and didn't see Caroline anywhere. "Hmm, hey Jenna!" she said chasing after her aunt. "Want to give me a lift home? Caroline's gone so we can stage a jailbreak."

Jenna looked around, also a little scared of Caroline. "Ok, let's go, hurry, run! I don't want to get caught," she said ushering her niece towards the car.

"Hey umm Brea," Elena said sticking her head into Jeremy's room while they were halfway through Mission Impossible. Jeremy paused the movie and the siblings looked over at Elena. "Can I please talk to you? It's kind of important."

"Can it wait until after the movie Lena, we're halfway?"

"No, no. Please, Brea, please?"

"Urgh ok," she said sensing her twin's distress. "Finish it tomorrow Jer?"

"Sure," he grumbled putting on headphones as Brea followed Elena to her room.

"So are we going to talk or are you going to keep pacing?" Brea asked Elena who had been walking up and down her room for the past 5 minutes.

"Stefan's a vampire!" Elena blurted out.

"Excuse me!?" Brea snorted

"Damon too," Elena rambled making Brea jumped up and grab Elena's face and look into her eyes. "What are you doing Brea?"

"Did you hit your head?"

"No! Brea! I'm serious. Look I made a copy of a video, the one that I found at Logan's work. It's from 1953. It's an old news video, and Stefan's in the video. Tiki's grandfather recognised him the other day at the Grill and said he remembered Joseph's nephew called Stefan. It's him in the video Brea!" Elena then showed Brea the video.

"Well, I mean they are relatives it's possible they just look really similar."

"No Brea please listen to me," Elena pleaded, grabbing her sisters hand.

"An old video of a look-alike Stefan doesn't prove vampires exist sweetie."

"Don't patronise me, Brenna, I'm serious."

"Wow you called me Brenna," she said shocked. "Oh my god, you really believe this don't you." Elena nodded.

"I know it. Think about it. He and Damon, they're new to town the animal attacks started just as they got to town. Jeremy sliced Stefan's hand open when Tyler and he were fighting, I saw the blood, you did too, but the cut wasn't there, he never gets hurt. Sometimes his eyes go dark and the veins under his eyes, they pop out, he changes in ways that can't be explained. 5 bodies drained of blood Brenna, drained. Caroline, who was dating Damon, was bitten all over her neck, you saw it, Brea! I went to his house Brea, he told me that I'm right. Then he came here. He came here and tried to talk to me. He moved so fast Brea."

"Elena, you sound absolutely insane. But for some reason...I think I believe you." Elena breathed a sigh of relief. "We have to talk to him and find out what it all means."

"Ok, tomorrow. We'll meet him, together."

That night Elena and Brea slept in the same bed, afraid of what would go bump in the night.

"You said you would explain everything, that's why I asked you to meet us here," Elena said to Stefan as the three of them sat awkwardly outside of the Grill.

"I'm just tagging along," Brea muttered.

"When you google 'vampire' a lot of stuff comes up," Elena continued. "You get a world of fiction. What's the reality?"

"I'll tell you whatever you want to know," Stefan promised.

"I know you eat garlic," Elena said.

"And you go in the sun without sparkling," Brea added as a waitress came outside with their drinks.

"We have rings that protect us, otherwise we burn, not sparkle," Stefan explained to Brea.

"So Twilight lied," Brea sighed.

"Crucifixes?" Elena asked.

"Decorative," he refuted and Elena continued to question every myth.

"You said you don't kill to survive."

"Animal blood keeps me alive, but not as strong as Damon. He can be very powerful."

"And yet you let him get involved with Caroline?" Elena accused angrily.

"Yeah, not cool Stefan, what if he killed her!" Brea agreed. "Oh my god, I got in a car alone with him!"

"Forcing Damon not to do something is much more dangerous, believe me. Trust me, Brenna, he wouldn't hurt you," Stefan tried to reason.

"He was hurting her! He could've hurt Brea!" Elena accused.

"He was feeding on her. He was able to take away her memories of being bitten using a form of mind compulsion. She never knew what was happening to her. If he wanted to kill her, he would have."

"Is that supposed to make it ok?"

"No. No, none of this is ok, Elena. I know that."

"Are there any others, aside from you and Damon?"

"Not in Mystic Falls, not anymore," Stefan said shaking his head.

"Not anymore?"

"There was a time when this town was…"

"Infested," Brea finished.

Stefan gave her a funny look, "very much aware of vampires, and it didn't end well for anybody. That's why it's important that you two don't tell anyone."

"I can't promise that," Elena said as Brea slowly nodded to Stefan as she knew vampires being an open secret would have disastrous consequences.

"Elena… give me today. I will answer any questions that you two have, and when it's over, you can decide for yourself what you want to do with what you know. It'll be your choice."

"I've been here before," Brea whispered as she touched the pillars of the knocked-down home Stefan had taken them to.

"Brea, we've never been here," Elena responded.

"Oh, maybe I came here exploring with Tyler and Matt or something," Brea replied uncertainly.

"Maybe," Elena suggested before turning to Stefan "it looks so…" she said struggling to find an appropriate word.

"Old?" Stefan bluntly finished. "That's because it is."

"Wait. How long have you…" Elena said again, unable to find an appropriate way to finish her question.

"I've been 17 years old since 1864."

"Oh, my god," Elena gasped.

"You said you wanted to know. I'm not gonna hold anything back. A half-century before the boarding house was even built, this was my family's home. Damon and I… we were both born here. The Salvatore brothers, best of friends."

"You knew Katherine in 1864?" Elena asked eventually.

"Her and her sister," Stefan said watching Brea.

"Her sister?" Brea asked snapping out of her trance.

"Yeah, well I don't think it was possible for them to really be sisters. She was human and Katherine was a vampire, an old one at that. But Katherine wasn't feeding on her or using her in any way. They just both genuinely loved each other as siblings." Brea's breath quickened and she went back to walking around the destroyed property.

Brea heard Elena and Stefan talking about how Katherine went with Stefan to the Founders Day instead of Damon. "Who did Damon go to the ball with?" she asked turning around.

"He went with Katherine's sister to the ball." Brea nodded and walked off in a daze.

Mystic Falls, 1864

" Oh do stop staring Mr Salvatore," Brenna said to Damon as they danced.

" Why would she choose Stefan, though Miss Pierce? Am I not enough?" Damon asked as he stared longingly after Katherine.

Brenna sighed, unsure of how to answer the question, knowing full well that her sister was toying with them. "My sister can be cruel in her ways, Mr Salvatore. I do not believe she has dismissed you. I believe, Damon, that she wants you to fight for her, to show her how you are perhaps a better choice for her than Stefan."

Damon smiled at his friend. "Perhaps you are right Miss Pierce, maybe I need to show her my affections outweigh my brothers."

" Well to start Mr Salvatore, pay her no mind for the rest of the founder's ball. You are, after all, escorting me. I would hate to be talking about my lovely sister all night."

" As you wish Miss Pierce," he said spinning her.

"Brea?" Elena asked.

"Huh?"

"You were completely out of it, we're leaving. We got Damon's ring," Elena said holding it up.

"What we can't give it back to him! He'll just hurt more and more people," Brea protested.

"We have to Brea, he'll hurt us in retaliation if we don't." Brea took a deep breath and nodded before making her way to the car. "The mind control, you said Katherine used. Did you ever do that to me?" Elena asked Stefan before she got in the car. Brea stopped and looked back at the pair.

"No. That necklace contains a herb called vervain. It protects you from being compelled. Brea, I slipped some into your perfume bottle, I would like to give you something like Elena's, I thought it might make you uncomfortable for me to give you jewellery when I just started dating your sister."

"Yeah that definitely would've been weird," Brea agreed as she got into the car.

Brea, Elena and Stefan arrived back at the Gilbert house and Brea heard Matt's voice and excitedly yelled "Matthew!" and ran into the living room. Upon entering, she saw Jeremy on the floor and Vicki standing over him and asked, "what the hell is going on here?"

Elena then got into the room and repeated the same question.

"She's really messed up guys," Matt filled them in.

"Elena, back up," Stefan said pulling Elena away from Vicki's side to get a better look at her. Stefan grabbed her face and whispered calming words to her. "Guys, take her up to bed, she's gonna be ok."

"Is she ok?" Brea asked, looking in the direction the two boys took Vicki.

"You know what's wrong with her?" Elena asked.

"Yeah," Stefan confirmed.

"What is it?" Elena pushed.

"She's transitioning."

"Transitioning into what?" Elena prodded still confused.

"Oh no, it's withdrawals, isn't it? I don't want her in my house if she's going to start throwing up, it's just too gross," Brea panicked as she ran after Matt. "Hey, how is she?"

"I don't know Brea, I've never seen her like this. I don't know what she took. She's in there with Jeremy and I don't know what to do Brea. She's so agitated I don't know if I should just take her home or take her to the hospital."

"Maybe the hospital if she starts getting sick?"

"I don't know why she does this. I can't handle it."

"I know. Let's make you a tea or something, I feel like it's going to be a long evening," Brea suggested with a smile. Brea and Matt then started walking down the stairs and when they reached the bottom, they heard someone storming down the stairs and turned to see Vicki running down the stairs, and she proceeded to push past the pair and run out the front door.

"Vick!" Matt called as she sprinted out the front door. "I'm gonna go look for her call me if you hear anything!" he said running to his truck.

"I can track her," Stefan informed the girls.

"Go," Elena encouraged.

"I'm going with Matt, I'll call you if we find her," Brea said running to Matts truck. "Matt! Wait up, I'm coming with you."

"Ok, get in. God what the hell Vick!" he said to himself.

Brea opened the door to her house and stepped in. Elena and Jeremy ran to the doorway and when they saw it was just Brea, their shoulders fell and they both sighed "oh" disappointedly.

"That was a lovely greeting," Brea scoffed.

"Maybe we should check in with Matt," Jeremy suggested.

"Hey, dude! I just came from Matt. Am I invisible?" Brea said waving her arms around and Jeremy just looked at Brea, waiting for an answer.

"Well we couldn't find her, he dropped me home because it was late but he's going to keep looking."

"Well, what are we supposed to do then?"

"We wait. We're supposed to wait," Elena answered.

"She might come back here and I'm guessing she's going to want to see you, Jer. So we should just stay put for now," Brea said smiling softly.

"I don't know what's wrong with her," he sniffled.

"She'll be fine, it'll all be fine," Elena told him.

"How about we finish our movie to take our mind off it Jer?" Brea suggested and he nodded slowly as the doorbell rung and all three rushed to the door. Elena opened it a fraction before trying to slam it shut. "Lena?" Brea asked concerned only to see the door being pushed open and Damon on the other side of it.

"Jeremy, go upstairs," Elena ordered.

"Get the movie started, I'll be up in a minute," Brea encouraged and Jeremy just rolled his eyes before slowly making his way upstairs.

"You two are afraid of me," Damon noticed. "I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess. Stefan finally fessed up."

"Stay away from us," Elena forced out through her fear.

"Hey, hey, hey, there's no need to be rude. I'm just looking for Stefan. May I come in? Oh, wait of course I can. I've been invited," he taunted walking into the house as the twins stepped back two steps for every step he took forward, he then shut the door behind him.

"Oh, would you just bugger off Damon! Now is not the time," Damon's eyes softened before hardening again.

"We can cut to the chase if you want. I'm not gonna kill either of you right now. That wouldn't serve my greater agenda," he said as if he was doing them a favour.

"Greater agenda? Do you have a god complex or something?" Brea hissed.

"Oh brave one, are we," he smirked. "So…" he continued, "Where's Stefan?"

"He's out looking for Vicki," Elena said with malice.

"Don't look at me with those judgy little eyes. Girl's gonna thank me for what I did to her."

"What did you do?" Brea asked.

"Turned her," he shrugged as if it was obvious.

"Into what? Stone?" she asked confused before her eyes widened. "Oh my god! No! You turned her!"

"Sure did," he winked.

"Did you thank Katherine?" Elena asked.

"Got the whole life story, huh?"

"We got enough," Brea answered.

"Oh, I doubt that. Tell my brother I'm looking for him," Damon said leaving the house. Just as the door was about to close he pushed it back open. "Oh, a tip for later. Be careful who you invite in the house."

"Get out," Brea growled. Damon smiled and finally left. Brea and Elena were left stunned for a minute before Brea finally went upstairs to Jeremy's room. "Ready for the movie?" she asked as she plopped down onto his bed.

"Yeah I guess," he said disheartened.

"Press play baby brother."

The siblings then continued to watch the end of their movie as Elena texted her to say that she was going to wait outside for Stefan to show up with any news. After a while, Brea heard the front door close. "I'll be back in a minute Jer," he just nodded, not really caring. Brea ran to the top of the staircase to see Elena sliding down the door in tears. "Lena? Are you ok? Did he find Vicki?" Elena couldn't talk she was crying so much. Brea just ran down the stairs and sat next to her sister pulling her head into her shoulder and holding her as she cried. She was able to work out that Elena must've broken things off with Stefan. After a while, Jeremy got to the top of the staircase and seeing one sister crying mouthed "Vicki?" to Brea and Brea shook her head, letting their brother know that their sister's despair was over a different matter and he nodded and went back to his room.

Chapter Text

EDITED SEP22

"Up! Up now mopey," Brea said flinging Elena's bedroom door open.

"Urgh go away," she groaned

"Not a chance, oh how the tables have turned," Brea sang as she jumped onto Elena's bed. "It's usually you nagging me to get up. Anyway, you've got to get to school Lena."

"You smell Brea," Elena said sniffing the air.

"Well aren't you a sweetheart," Brea scoffed. "After our talk with Stefan yesterday I think I put about half a bottle of my perfume on today. I really need a piece of jewellery like yours. Hey, do you think Stefan will be at school today?"

"Probably not. I think he'll be with Vicki. Why?"

"Well, he did promise me something more effective than vervain-laced perfume." Elena then pulled herself out of bed and Brea left the room and walked over to Jeremy's room. "BOO!" she yelled throwing open the door causing Jer to look at her weirdly.

"Never been scary Brea," he said with an eye roll.

"You going to join the search party?" Brea asked.

"At least one of you understands. Elena thinks I should go to school."

"Yeah well Elena's an idiot," Brea smiled. "I also don't appreciate the 'one of you' statement, I know we're twins but please don't lump me in with her."

"You're hyper," he said looking her up and down.

"Yeah well, I slept well, drug-free and no nightmares," Brea smiled.

"I'm glad," he smiled.

"I'm glad you're going out to look for Vicki. I mean I think school's good and all but your mind wouldn't be there so it's a bit of a waste of time right now," Brea said stepping out of the room. "Give me a call if you find out anything," she called back, knowing full well that he wouldn't find Vicki anywhere.

Elena and Brea pulled up to the Salvatore Boarding House before they went to school.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Lena?" Brea asked nervously. "I'm sure Stefan's got a handle on Vicki."

"I just need to see, ok. For Jeremy and Matts's sake. I need to know if she's safe," Elena sighed as she got out and the two girls made their way to the front door. Elena rang the bell only to have Damon answer it. Brea groaned as soon as she saw Damon standing at the door smirking. "Is Stefan here?" Elena asked.

"Yep," Damon popped.

"Where is he?" Elena demanded.

"And good morning to you, little miss 'I'm on a mission'."

"How can you be so arrogant and glib after everything that you've done?"

"And how can you be so brave and stupid to call a vampire arrogant and glib?" Damon retorted.

"If you wanted us dead, we'd be dead," Elena sneered, making Brea raise her eyebrows at having been brought into the argument.

"Yes, YOU would," Damon emphasised.

"But we're not."

"Yet," this last remark from Damon silenced Elena momentarily.

"Alrighty then," Brea muttered, her eyes flickering between the two of them. She took a step forward and walked around Damon, entering the house.

Elena eventually came and stood next to Brea in the hallway. "Stefan? Stefan?" she called looking around.

"Yes," Stefan answered from the stairs.

"Where's Vicki?" Brea asked.

"She's upstairs."

"What happens now?" Elena asked. "Because our brother is out there searching for her with the rest of the town. What do we tell him?"

Brea turned her head to look behind her at Damon who was staring after her, as soon as she caught his eye, he immediately turned and left the house.

"I'm working with her," Stefan assured. "But it's going to take time. She's a very volatile and impulsive personality. She's a drug user. I mean, all that's gonna play a part in how she responds to this"

"That's got to be one of the best non-answers I've ever heard, Stefan," Brea sighed, as she turned back to look at him.

"So she's a vampire with issues?" Elena questioned. "What are we supposed to do? We are lying to everyone we care about. What's going to happen to her?"

"I'm gonna keep her here with me until I know that she's safe."

"How long is that?" Vicki asked from the top of the stairs.

"We can talk about that later."

"Hey Vicki," Brea said giving the girl a small wave.

"How are you?" Elena continued.

"How am I? You're kidding, right?" she asked rudely.

"Coffee is our friend," Stefan explained to Vicki as the four of them sat at the table awkwardly.

"Fish are friends, not food," Brea giggled, making Elena nudge her.

"It's the caffeine. It circulates through our veins, and it warms our body so we're not so cold to the touch." Stefan continued.

"Well, what if I wanna drink human blood?" Vicki asked.

"You're gonna have to learn to live with that urge and fight it on a daily basis one day at a time."

"Oh, god, don't start with that whole 12 steps thing. The school counsellor has been down that road and it doesn't work for me."

"You have to try Vicki. You were only human yesterday, how can you already be thinking about hurting people?" Brea growled, but when she noticed everyone staring at her in shock she quietly muttered "sorry."

"It can work. It's your choice, Vicki," Stefan encouraged

"So you've never tasted human blood?" Vicki asked smugly. Brea sensed Elena stiffen up beside her.

"Not in a long time."

"How long?" Vicki prodded.

"Years and years. I'm not proud of my past behaviour"

Vicki sighed, "does this sketchy feeling ever go away? It's like I have a massive hangover. This daylight thing is a bitch. I need more blood. Where's your bathroom? I have to pee. Why do I have to pee? I thought I was dead," Vicki ranted before skipping out of the room.

"I'm gonna uh- I'm gonna get her some more," Stefan stuttered, referencing blood, "all right. I'll be quick."

"Is this absolutely insane or what?" Brea asked after Stefan left. "Two days ago we were completely oblivious to all of this. It's just… insane," all Elena could do was nod in agreement.

Vicki walked back in, "false alarm. My body's feeling really funky. It's a good funk, but it's weird."

"Who are you calling?" Elena asked as she saw Vicki dialling on her phone.

"Jeremy."

"Wow, no Vicki, no," Brea said quickly.

"Vicki, you can't see Jeremy anymore," Elena lectured.

"Oh, come on. Don't you two start. I'm gonna see whoever I wanna see."

"No you're not and you're certainly not seeing Jeremy Vicki, that's final," Brea snapped angrily.

"Even though you could hurt him?" Elena tried to reason.

"I would never hurt Jeremy."

"I know you think that, but we can't take that risk," Elena said walking forward to Vicki. "You're gonna have to let Jeremy go now."

"Oh, really? And how long have you been preparing a 'you're not good enough' speech? I'm presuming it predates the whole vampire thing."

"No, Vicki, it didn't," Brea said from behind Elena trying to calm her down.

"All we're saying is Jeremy is not getting involved in any of this, I mean it, Vicki," Elena ordered.

"Or what?" Vicki challenged before lunging at Elena, grabbing her by the neck and slamming her against the wall.

"What the hell Vicki! Get off her," Brea yelled, trying to shove Vicki off of her sister, only to have Vicki grab her by the neck as well and slam her right up next to Elena on the wall, lifting them up so that their feet barely touched the ground.

"Let's get one thing straight, you perky little bitches. You had my brother whipped for 15 years, 15 years, and then you dumped him. When I look at you that is all I see, just so you know" Vicki spat in Elena's face as Brea frantically tried to slap Vicki away from her neck. "And you, you think you're so special huh," Vicki snarled at Brenna. "Tyler was always so interested in you and whatever the hell you were doing every moment of the day, whenever you would walk over to us, he'd throw me in the gutter like trash just to talk to you. And now you think you can keep me from Jeremy? I'm gonna see Jeremy whenever I wanna see Jeremy, because I have some fun new toys to play with, and I won't think twice about ripping your little heads off. You got it?"

"I'm… sure… Jeremy… would love… that," Brea gasped as Vicki dropped them to the ground and left the room as they gasped for breath. "What a bitch!" Brea yelled as soon as she could breathe. "Come on, outside, she can't go out in the daylight," she groaned pulling her sister up off the ground.

Brea was leaning against the car as Elena and Stefan talked. Elena stormed away from him and Stefan called out.

"Brea, can I speak to you for a moment?" he asked and she walked over to him with a small smile. "I can ahh, smell your perfume, it's pretty heavy today."

"Oh yeah, I used a lot," Brea chuckled nervously.

"Bit of an understatement," Stefan smiled. "Here, this is a ring, it's laced with vervain. It belonged to Katherine's sister, I covered it in vervain like she used to, it'll wear off eventually, but once every couple of weeks, before it's fully gone, I'll redo it, so you'll always be protected. Here," he said opening a ring case to show her. It was a gold ring with a clear, rectangle, purple sapphire in the middle and two small diamonds on the side.

Brea was transfixed by the ring, her hands reached out and removed it from the box and slid it onto her right ring finger, instantly feeling a connection to it. "I love it. Thank you, Stefan. It's beautiful."

He smiled, "here," he took her hand and placed his palm on top of her ring and hissed. Brea frowned and looked at him. He released her hand and raised his palm to show her the red burn mark slowly healing.

"What the hell?" Brea asked confused.

"The vervain covers the ring, it's sort of like a plating, so you can cause pain to any vampire by touching them with it. It's not enough to cripple them, but it will shock them."

"Wow thank you, Stefan. I better go, Elena's waiting," Stefan nodded and Brea leaned forward hugging Stefan before running to the car.

"Has anyone seen Jenna?" Brea asked as she walked into the kitchen before freezing, she'd obviously interrupted a fight between Elena and Jeremy.

"Keeping me away from her is not for best," Jeremy snapped before storming upstairs.

"What was that about?" Brea asked her sister.

"Vicki," Elena sighed.

Brea's phone buzzed with a text from Caroline.

C - Tyler is asking fre you

C - Fro uoy

C - For you

Brea replied

B - Have you been drinking Care?

C - Lockwood special Bera, you know you loveee it

B - Haha ok Care. Elena and I are heading over there soon. I'll find you when I get there. But not Ty. Ok?

Brea then pocketed her phone and went to grab last year's Halloween costume.

"Come on Brea we're heading out now!" Elena yelled up the stairs.

Brea ran down and noticed Elena was also wearing her outfit from last year. "Oh, nurse again I see. And you are…" Brea said turning to Jeremy, "yourself? Truly terrifying Jer, you're going to give me nightmares."

"You went the same as last year as well," Elena noticed. "Wonder Woman."

"It's fun you get to use a headband!" Brea laughed and the three left for the party.

The siblings arrived at the high school and went to enter when Jeremy screamed at some little kids causing them to yell in fear. Brea stuck her hand out for a high-five whilst Elena slapped his arm in disapproval.

"Hey I'm gonna go find Care," Brea said. "She's drinking so she'll be out here. Text me if you need me." Elena nodded and Brea walked off.

"Wonder Woman huh?" she heard from behind her and turned to see Chad dressed as Superman.

"You went as last year's costume as well?" Brea laughed, pointing to his Superman costume.

"Yeah, you can tell we both put in a lot of effort tonight," he said making Brea laugh. The two then fell into an awkward silence.

"Umm have you seen Caroline anywhere?" Brea asked. "She's been sending me drunk texts I just want to make sure she's a-okay," Brenna said putting her thumbs up.

"Yeah, I think I saw her talking with Tyler and Bonnie earlier."

"Oh," Brea said, smile falling.

"You know he wouldn't shut up about you at practice the other day… is there - is - is there something going on there?" he asked hesitantly.

"WHAT! Between Tyler and I?" Chad nodded shyly. "No way. Ugh, Chad that's so gross. You've seen us together. How is that even a question?"

"I mean you guys were always so close," he defended, holding his arm out, gesturing to start walking. "I was always kinda jealous."

"Of Tyler? That's ridiculous," Brea said laughing. "He's like another brother to me, well when he's not being a royal ass."

"I know, I just felt I needed to ask," Chad said relaxing. "Is that Caroline?" he asked pointing to a girl tripping over.

"Yep. I'm gonna go see if she's ok, I'll catch up with you later," she said walking off.

"BREA!" Caroline yelled running over to Brea. "I've been having a lot of fun here."

"Lockwood special?" Tyler spoke from behind Brea.

"ME! ME!" Caroline yelled snatching the cup, nearly falling on Brea in the process.

"Care, easy, I think you've had enough," Brea laughed, ignoring Tyler and trying to take the cup from Caroline but Caroline just stuck her arm out to stop her and chugged the drink. Tyler grabbed Brea's arm and pulled her away from Caroline and to the side of the party.

"Look you're killing me here Brea. Please, can we talk it's been weeks? Please," Tyler asked desperately and as Brea went to reply, her phone buzzed with a text from Elena.

E - Vicki's here! I lost Jer

"Wow my sister is a terrible babysitter," Brea muttered before starting to walk away.

"Brea!" Tyler called out.

"Look we'll talk, ok, but I have to go find Jeremy now, but we will Ty," she said as she ran off and into the school halls. As Brea ran through a sheet hanging in the hallway she ran straight into Elena and fell over from the impact.

"What are you doing Brea, this is serious, get up," Elena ordered.

"Seriously?" Brea scoffed as Elena nodded. "You knocked me over. You're a bully when you're worried you know."

"Thank god!" Elena breathed as Stefan rounded the corner with a grip on Vicki's arm. "I lost track of Jeremy. I was worried."

"Are you ok?" Stefan asked Brea seeing her sitting on the floor.

"Yeah, Elena pushed me."

"I did not!" Elena countered.

"What's going on?" Matt asked spotting Vicki and pulling Brea up off the ground without bothering to ask why she was down there.

"Hey. Uh, everything's fine," Stefan tried to cover.

"I told you to quit bothering me," Vicki complained pulling away from Stefan.

"No. Vicki, don't do this," Elena tried to reason.

"So has anyone seen Caroline tonight? It's hilarious she is so wasted, a few too many Lockwood specials. Boy, do those drinks pack a punch am I right?" Brea stammered trying to diffuse the tension.

"Matt, he won't leave me alone," Vicki continued complaining.

"You need to back off, man," Matt said stepping in front of his sister.

"Matt, it's- it's ok," Elena tried to reassure.

"No, it's not ok. What the hell is your problem?" Matt yelled at Stefan.

"Stefan, she's gone!" Elena noticed before she took off running.

"Oh bugger!" Brea gasped.

"Bugger?" Stefan questioned before refocusing and began to run off after Elena. Matt tried to grab Stefan to stop him from 'harassing' his sister but Stefan threw him up against the wall. "I'm trying to help her," he yelled before running off.

"Walk it off Matty," Brea comforted, patting him on the shoulder. "He's just very big on community service and he takes getting Vicki on the right track very seriously," Brea tried to cover for Stefan's strange behaviour but Matt gave her a disbelieving look. "Geez Matt lighten up it's a party," Brea teased before running off to look for Jeremy.

As Brea was running around outside looking for her brother she heard him yell "Vicki! Vicki, what the hell!"

"JEREMY!" she screamed, recognising her brother's voice and started running towards where she heard it near the buses. Brea arrived at the buses to see Jeremy yelling and Vicki lunging at him. As Vicki grabbed Jeremy, Brea threw herself at Vicki and managed to tackle her off Jeremy before quickly standing back up and reaching out to grab her brother to run, but Vicki got up quickly and threw Brea into the bus next to them, splitting her head open on the side mirror before she leant down, about to bite Brea's throat.

"Vicki, no!" Elena screamed hitting Vicki with a wooden board before she could bite Brea. Vicki, hardly affected, picked up both Brea and Elena, and threw them into wooden crates, cutting the girl's sides as the wood scratched them. Before Vicki could hurt them further Stefan slammed her into the bus, but she managed to wiggle free of his grasp and hide.

"Go. Get inside," Stefan called to them urgently making Elena grab Brea's hand, dragging her up from the ground and grabbing Jeremy on the way past as they started running for the door. As they were running Jeremy took the weight of an injured Brea, allowing Elena to try to open the door. Just as she opened it Brea and Jeremy were flung backwards as Vicki grabbed Elena biting into her throat.

"Elena!" Brea screamed. Before Vicki could do too much damage, she gasped as Stefan stuck a piece of wood through her chest, causing her to let go of Elena.

"Vicki!" Jeremy started screaming in despair as he got up and tried to reach for her only to be held back by Stefan as everyone watched Vicki's body turn grey and veiny.

"Get him out of here," Elena asked Stefan not wanting Jeremy to have to keep seeing Vicki's body.

"Brea?" Stefan asked the half-conscious girl who was pulling herself up to sit against the wall but she just shook her head. Stefan nodded at her gently before leading Jeremy away.

Elena started crying and sat down beside Vicki's body. "What are we going tell Jer? How do we explain this?" As Elena looked down she noticed Brea's ring glowing bright, "Brea, your ring!" she exclaimed but before they had time to question it, Damon came out from behind the buses.

"You should go," he told Elena. "I got this."

"You did this," Elena said angrily. "This is your fault."

"You confuse me for someone with remorse." At this Elena tried to shove him, but he didn't even move, so she tried slapping him, but he caught her hand. "None of this matters to me. None of it."

"That is so rude," Brea groaned from the ground.

"People die around you. How can that not matter? It matters and you know it," Elena cried before slapping him.

"Oh! Good shot Lena," Brea croaked in pain.

Damon's face hardened. "You both need to leave. Your wounds are bleeding and you need to leave. She probably has a concussion," he said in a kinder tone. "Please get her home." Elena then got very worried that he'd do something dangerous so she crept over to Brea keeping her eyes on Damon and helped her off the ground pulling her away.

"I have to go find Tyler," Brea whispered limping away from Elena, who was in too much shock to stop her. She was walking for a bit when she saw Tyler.

"Brea hey!" he called when he saw her walking over to her. "Woah, what happened?" he said noticing the blood and grabbing her, looking her over.

"Nothing, uh, it's fake," she lied.

"No, it's not you liar. You were always a terrible liar. And I can see the cut on your head, Brea, I can see it bleeding!" he exclaimed as he pulled her head closer to look at it.

"How much have you had to drink?" she asked shakily,

"Nothing, I've just been making them. Why?"

"Can you drive me home?" she whispered, lip quivering.

"Yeah, yeah, of course, let's go," he said helping her towards the car park.

As the pair got into Tyler's car, Brea burst into hysterical tears. "Why do people have to die Ty? Even when they didn't deserve it," Brea whimpered.

"Oh my god, Brea," he said in concern grabbing her head gently and pulling it onto his shoulder so she could cry. "You were so strong for Jeremy and Elena after the accident. I've never actually seen you cry," Tyler tried to reason.

"Yeah, that's it," Brea tried to pull herself together and managed to stop the tears. Tyler wasn't an overly affectionate guy and she had no doubt he would have been very uncomfortable with her current state. The drive to Brea's house was dead silent, with Tyler not wanting to ask about their fight as he feared upsetting her more. As he pulled up in front of the house Brea noticed Elena and Stefan out the front. "I forgive you, Ty, I missed you, I'll see you tomorrow," she said quickly as she got out of the car and speed-walked up to the porch. "Jer inside?" she asked the pair and Stefan nodded and she stormed inside running to Jeremy's room. Without saying anything Brea sat next to Jeremy on his bed and just held on to his arm resting her bleeding head on his shoulder, trying to make him feel less alone. Not long after, Elena also came up the stairs and sat in front of him.

"Do you understand what happened?" Elena asked him.

"No," he whispered. "I don't understand. I mean, I know what I saw, but… I don't understand."

"She was going to kill us."

"Now she's dead. Vicki's dead," he despaired.

"I'm so sorry, Jer," Elena cried.

"Make it stop. It hurts." With these words, Brea lifted her head and looked at Elena in despair at her brother's pain as Elena tried to comfort him. "Why does everybody have to die on me?" Brea started breathing heavier and Elena pulled him and Brea into a hug. After a while of hugging, Elena went downstairs to see Stefan and Brea went to her room too numb to think straight.

After a while of hugging her teddy bear on her bed, there was a knock. Brea got up and opened her door to see it was Damon standing there. "What?" Brea croaked.

"Your sister asked me to come here."

"My sister told you to come to find me?"

"She wanted your permission… for me to compel Jeremy to forget tonight and let Vicki go. To take his pain away."

"Compel him?" Damon nodded. Brea walked out of her room and looked through Jeremy's door to see him shaking in despair. "Please Damon, please," she agreed before retreating back into her room. After a few more minutes there was another knock, and behind the door was Damon again. "Is it done?" she asked and Damon nodded.

"Here," he said holding his hands out, "bandages for your head and your side. They don't look like they're bleeding anymore, so they should be fine just with these," he said handing them to Brea who hesitantly took them. "Do you want me to compel you as well?" he asked as his eyes looked sympathetic to her pain.

"No," Brea said shaking her head. "I need to remember. I can't forget. I can't lose my memories." Damon nodded brushing a piece of her hair behind her ear, and offered her a small smile.

"You'll be ok," he smiled and left as Brea closed the door behind him.

Chapter Text

EDIT SEP22

Brea's door burst open "up, come on!" Jeremy said from his sister's doorway.

"Jer?" she mumbled, "what the hell?"

"We have to go down to the station remember? To give statements. Elena told me to wake you up."

Brea looked at her alarm clock, "we don't have to be there for an hour and a half!"

"I'm not messing with Elena today. She's in one of those 'I'm going to destroy everything in my path' moods," Jeremy said with a shrug.

"Talking about Elena?" Jenna asked as she walked past Brea's room.

"Yep," Brea answered. "Want to mess with her?" Brea asked excitedly.

"Do I ever! Jenna, don't tell," Jeremy warned.

"Oh, no way. I am so in," Jenna said, just excited to be included.

"Elena what are you doing!" Brea yelled as she came downstairs 10 minutes later all dressed and ready for the day.

"What did I do?" she asked between mouthfuls of cereal.

"We have to be at the police station in 15 minutes, Jeremy came to tell me you were still in your pyjamas eating!"

"Brea we don't have to be there for like over an hour."

"Wrong, Elena," Brea turned to look at the clock. "Yeah that clock has stopped Elena, you're seriously late." At the prospect of being late Elena's eyes flung open and she looked at Jenna.

Jenna turned to look at the clock and took a second to fake realisation before yelling "shoot," causing Elena to subsequently bolt upstairs to get changed.

"BRENNA!" Elena roared when she reached her room and saw her alarm clock was at the same time as the downstairs clock and realised she had been tricked. At this Jeremy, Brea and Jenna started laughing hysterically.

Brea's interrogation with Sheriff Forbes was no doubt awkward. Caroline was her best friend and it was weird being questioned by her mom. As the Gilbert's left the station the mood was sombre, and as they were leaving they all caught sight of Stefan waiting out front. "Stefan alert, Stefan alert, Stefan alert," Brea whispered in Elena's ear until she was shoved away.

"Rejected," Jenna smirked.

"Shut up!" Brea laughed at her childish aunt.

"I'll meet you guys at the car," Elena told them.

As they walked away, leaving Elena, Jenna sang, "don't you wish that you could be a…"

"Fly on the wall?" Brea finished. "Not for that one Jenna, that one may be messy," Brea said looking back at her twin.

Eventually, Elena met them at the car and the twins sat in the back seat. Brea had been playing piano notes with her hands on the empty seat next to her when Elena snapped "Cut that out, Brea."

"What?"

"The hand thing."

"Why?"

"It's irritating."

"But why is it irritating?"

"Why are you so annoying today," Elena huffed.

Before Brea could respond further her phone buzzed with a text from Jeremy who was sitting in the front seat.

J - Told you, angry Elena today.

B - No doubt. I think she's mad about this morning.

J - Hey, you did it. Not me.

B - You laughed, she's going to kill you for that later

J - I think she's mainly mad about Stefan. That makes it your job to save us from angry Lena. Fix her.

B - What! Why's it my job? I don't want that job. Give it to Jenna!

J - You're the twin, it's part of the job

B - Bugger…

At this, Jeremy snorted and Elena shot her head up and turned to look at Brea, noticing Brea's wide eyes, she scowled and said, "are you two texting each other? You are aren't you?"

"No," Brea said too quickly.

"I hate you both," Elena grumbled looking out the window. Brea scowled at the back of her brothers head rest and reached forward and gave his head a shove.

Jeremy, Brea and Jenna sat at the dining table arguing under their breaths.

"Jenna, I'm not doing it. She's mad at me today. If I go over there she will kill me," Brea protested.

"I don't want to do it either, grumpy Elena is scary."

"Jenna someone has to go tell her not to wallow."

"I'm not doing it, I just lost Vicki, I'm too sad to do it," Jeremy said as the two girls turned to look at him.

"Oh my god, Jer! You sneaky devil you're playing the sympathy card!" Brea accused and Jeremy shrugged his shoulders.

"You're evil, but I'm totally in the same boat. Logan dumped me via email," Jenna remarked.

"Logan's a jerk, sorry Jen, and I hate to say it, but I told you so. I'll comfort Jer, you go talk to the demon twin," Brea suggested.

Jenna groaned, "I hate you, and I know you love saying I told you so," she whispered before walking over to the couch and plonking herself down next to Elena as Jeremy turned his attention back to whatever he was working on.

"Wanna keep it down over there?" Jeremy asked Elena and Jenna as their voices carried to the dining table.

"Why what are you doing?" Jenna asked.

"Homework," he answered. At this Elena turned to look at her brother in shock.

Brea looked up from her phone with a gasp and pulled Jeremy's workbook towards her so she could see. "Oh my god, guys! He's doing math! He's doing math! I thought you were drawing Jer."

"Since when do you do homework?" Elena asked, also shocked.

"I gotta finish this. I'm way behind, and I have a quiz tomorrow, so…" he trailed off going back to his studies.

"What do you think? Alien?" Elena suggested as Brea walked over to the back of the couch.

"Some sort of replicant," Jenna suggested.

"How do we take it down?" Brea asked.

"He can hear you," Jeremy scoffed.

"Oh my god, he can hear us, run!" Brea said teasingly. Brea and Elena then exchanged concerned looks wondering what Damon had done to change Jeremy so much.

"Oh my god thank god you're here Bon!" Brea said with joy when she opened the front door.

"Hey," Bonnie said hugging Brea.

"You don't know what I've been dealing with all day, she's a monster Bon!" Brea said about Elena and Bonnie just rolled her eyes. "Come on then, I'll show you," Brea said grabbing Bonnie's hand and pulling her upstairs to Elena's room. Once they reached the door Brea hesitated. "You first," she said pushing Bonnie towards the door. Bonnie just raised her eyebrows at Brea with a small smile on her face. Brea shrugged, "last time I went in there she threw a pillow at my head," she explained as Bonnie giggled and opened the door gently.

"You up?" Bonnie asked Elena knocking on the door.

"No," Elena groaned, burying herself in her bed covers.

Bonnie turned to look at Brea questioningly. "She's only being nice because you're here. I swear, just asked Jeremy. Or even Jenna."

Bonnie walked over to Elena's bed and pulled the covers away despite Elena's protesting. "Why haven't you called me back?"

"I'm sorry."

"Are you gonna stay in there forever?" Bonnie asked as Brea slowly crept into the room.

"Yep."

"In that case can I borrow your clothes without asking?" Brea asked as both girls gave her funny looks. "What if she's all tucked away in bed she won't need them? I like her jackets."

"Move over," Bonnie said before gesturing to Brea to join them on the bed. "I'm officially worried. What's going on?"

"I'm tired of thinking, of talking. I-"

"Can I get a one-line version so I can at least pretend to be helpful?" Bonnie asked as nicely as she could.

"Stefan and I broke up," Bonnie turned to look at Brea as Elena told her this.

"Sorry, I forgot to mention that I guess."

"I'm so sorry," Bonnie said focusing on Elena. "Are you ok?" Elena then gave her a look. "Right. Stupid question. I know I've been kind of M.I.A. when you need me the most. I suck."

"It's fine Bon, I mean, Brea could've been nicer to me," Elena said making Brea gasp incredulously at this. "But you wanna make it up to me? Get my mind off of it."

"I tried to get your mind off it," Brea grumbled.

"Yeah, by being painful all day."

"Excuse me! It was all Jeremy's idea," Brea lied.

"Was not," Elena scowled.

"Was too."

"Was not."

"Ok, ok," Bonnie said cutting the twin's argument off. "I'll distract you, just stop," she sighed as the two twins fell silent. "Now remember you asked for it," Bonnie said climbing over Brea to shut the windows. She then grabbed a pair of scissors and sliced a pillow open.

"Hey!" Elena argued as Brea giggled.

"Payback for throwing it at my head earlier," Brea mumbled as Elena shot her sister a glare.

"Be patient," Bonnie reassured. "I need to swear you both to secrecy."

"It's kind of a bad week for that kind of stuff," Elena groaned.

"Swear, cause I'm not supposed to be showing you this."

"We swear Bonnie," Brea agreed for the two of them.

"Ok. There are no windows open, right?" Bonnie asked and Brea and Elena confirmed. "There's no fan, no air conditioning?"

"None. What are you doing?" Elena asked.

"Grams just showed me this. You two are gonna love it. You ready?" After this Bonnie started moving her hand upwards and a feather followed.

"What the!" Brea exclaimed.

"Bonnie, what's going on?" Elena asked as Bonnie smiled and lifted more feathers into the air.

"Bonnie! This is amazing," Brea said in delight as Bonnie lifted heaps of feathers into the air around the twins.

"It's true. Everything my grams told me. It's impossible. But it's true. I'm a witch."

"A Bennett witch," Brea said with strange familiarity as Bonnie nodded smiling.

"I believe you," Elena said in awe as Brea sat back down feeling confused.

"I'll be back guys," Brea said bolting out of the room, suddenly feeling nauseous.

"Here my love," a voice whispered from behind her. Brea spun around and saw no one there. "It's for your birthday. I got my favourite witch Mary-Alice Claire to make it," this ghostly voice again came from behind Brea, making her yelp and spin around, only to find no one there. "It'll act as a partner to the ring you lost in Mystic Falls, all you need do is say my name whilst holding it and I'll be able to find you anywhere darling. It's connected to my daylight ring," with these last words Brea saw a faint outline of a man in front of her, reaching out for her hand. Brea screamed in fright as he reached out for her as she frantically took a few steps backward, tripping on the step at the top of the stairs and began to fall, only to have Jeremy catch her.

"Brea, what the hell!" he yelled concerned as Bonnie and Elena ran out of her room and Jenna ran up the stairs to see what the yells were about. Brea was hysterical and panting with tears in her eyes.

"Brea are you ok?" Jenna asked as she frantically pushed hair behind her niece's ear as Jeremy lowered her to the ground.

"Did you see that?" she asked Jeremy.

"See what?"

"That man, he tried to touch me, he was talking to me," she said hyperventilating.

"There was no one there Brea," he said concerned.

"There was, there was," she said looking around.

"Brea, how'd you sleep last night?" Jeremy whispered to her. Brea couldn't use words to answer, she was in such a state, so she just shook her head. There was no way she could sleep without seeing what happened to Vicki playing over and over in her head. "Maybe you just need some sleep," he suggested as he helped her stand up and again whispered to her, "have a rest ok? Take some of the pills, you need them. Sorry, I asked you to stop." Brea smiled and started to make her way to her room as she heard Jeremy try to explain to a concerned Jenna, Elena and Bonnie that she was just exhausted and needed some rest. Brea entered her room and immediately took some of her sleeping pills and drifted off into a peaceful dreamless sleep.

When Brea woke up hours later, Elena was in bed with her, making her sit up quickly and yelled in fright. "Oh geez, Elena! You scared me."

"I'm miserable again," Elena moaned.

"Why? What happened?"

"I went to Stefan's house."

"Oh yay!" when Brea saw her sister's face she corrected herself "oh, I mean, oh no… what happened?"

"There was a towel girl," Elena moped.

"A what?" Brea giggled.

"A 'friend' of Stefan's, when I went there I saw her in a towel, and Stefan was in the shower."

"Oh, Lena, I'm so sorry."

"Whatever it's fine, your phone's been buzzing like crazy," Elena said flipping over.

Brea reached for her phone and clicked on voicemail. "Brenna Gilbert you haven't replied to my texts and now you are not answering my calls. I'm having a party. You need to be at the Grill by 7 or I will come to your house and drag you by your ears. Ok bye, sweetie!" Caroline ended her voice message in a cheery tone.

"Oh my god, Caroline is insane."

"What?"

"She's having a party at the Grill and we have to go," Brea said and Elena groaned.

"Brea, what happened earlier?" Elena asked both concerned and serious.

"Oh, nothing it was a lack of sleep. I haven't been sleeping well so I think I was just a bit delusional," Brea tried to brush off as Elena gave an uncertain nod. The doorbell rang and Elena groaned before getting up out of bed to answer it.

Elena came back upstairs, "that was Stefan."

"Oh my god, what! The nerve," Brea gasped as she sat back up.

"No, he actually explained everything. Lexie is 350 years old, his oldest friend. Nothing romantic."

"Well that's good then," Brea looked at Elena's confused face. "Or maybe it isn't…"

"It's his birthday today, Stefan's."

"No way! Wow, he's like a billion today. Come on then," Brea said getting up.

"Where are we going?"

"Care's party. It's his birthday we have to go celebrate it."

"No I wanna stay in tonight Brea," Elena said resisting her sister's pull.

"Elena, come on, you like him right, let's go celebrate his birthday. Plus I'm scared Caroline will kill us if we don't show."

"Alright then," Elena said with a smile as the twins ran to get ready.

Half an hour later the twins walked into the Grill and Elena immediately saw Stefan.

"You're staring," Brea whispered in her ear as Damon walked into their line of sight and the twin's semi-happy faces dropped to pure distaste.

"Stefan smiles, alert the media," Damon mocked coming to stand next to the girls. "Brenna," he smirked as he greeted her, making her give him a small smile in return.

"You haven't given him a lot of reasons to be happy lately," Elena scowled.

"Oh, you're right. Poor Stefan. Persecuted throughout eternity by his depraved brother. Does it get tiring being so righteous?" Damon asked.

"It flares up in the presence of psychopaths," Elena snarked back.

"Woo! Nice one Lena!" Brea cheered as Elena grabbed her hand and they started walking away.

"Ouch. Well, consider this psychopath's feelings hurt," Damon said grabbing his chest.

"What did you do to our brother?" Elena asked spinning around.

"I'm gonna need a less vague question."

"When you did what you did to Jeremy's memory of Vicki, what else did you do to him?" Elena asked as Damon got closer.

"You asked me to take away his memory of fangs and rawr and all the bad stuff. You wanted me to take away his suffering."

"He's doing homework Damon," Brea said. "Homework! I haven't seen him do homework since, well, since a while ago.

"He's acting differently. He seems ok with everything and a little too ok. I mean he's studying. He's not doing drugs. He's not drinking. Are you sure you didn't do anything else?" Elena elaborated.

"Elena, I took away his suffering." Elena nodded and then walked off.

"Thank you, Damon, you did a nice thing for my brother so, thanks," Brea mumbled before starting to walk off but Damon grabbed her hand and pulled her back.

"Now where did you get that ring?"

"Stefan gave it to me," she said yanking her hand back. "He said it belonged to Katherine's sister, you know, the sister you took to the Founder's Ball," she quipped and his smirk faltered. Brea then became sympathetic. "Look it's laced with vervain, to protect me from compulsion. But Stefan said you two were good friends so if you don't want me to have it…"

"No," Damon said grabbing her hands to stop her as she went to pull it off. "No, you keep it, it belongs to you," he said before rushing off.

"Hey you," Matt said coming up behind Brea, pulling her focus from staring after Damon.

"Hey, Matty did not expect to see you here."

"No well, Caroline threatened me if I didn't show."

"Me too! We have to take her down, she's too powerful, we need a game plan." Brea said as she took notice of a girl at the bar staring at her. "Will you excuse me, Matt," Brea said walking off to the staring girl. "I'm sorry, have we met?" Brea asked, wanting to know why the girl was staring at her.

"Not yet. I'm Lexie."

"Lexie? Towel girl?" Brea asked with a smile as she realised this was Stefan's friend.

"Is that what I'm known as now?" Lexie laughed. "Your sister called me that too."

"Well, I'm Brenna, well, Brea is better, but... yeah."

"I know. Stefan told me," she said smiling, nodding her head toward Stefan and Elena talking.

"So you've known him for a long time right?"

"Over 100 years. I know he seems a bit uptight but, he's the nicest guy once you get to know him. And he would never ever hurt Elena, I can guarantee you that. Do you want a drink?"

"Um, a cola would be nice? Thanks."

"One cola coming up." As Lexie was getting Brea's drink, Brea saw Chad in a booth with Matt and lifted her hand to wave at him. "Boyfriend or ex?" Lexie asked.

"Ex."

"Oh, what happened there?"

"I don't know, thanks," she said as Lexie handed her her drink. "It just wasn't right you know? I mean, when it's right you just know," she said and Lexie gave her a small smile.

"You'll find it one day, that I promise you."

"Brea!" Matt called from the booth waving her over.

"Looks like you're wanted," Lexie said giving her permission to leave.

"Yeah, it was really nice to meet you, Lexie, I mean it. I hope you hang around in town for a bit," Brea said with a smile before leaving. "Matt, what's up?" she asked.

"Chad is so wrong about something and I need you to settle it," Matt said. Matt was taking up most of his side of the booth so Brea had to slide in next to Chad. "Fall or summer, which is the better season?"

"Seriously! You called me all the way over for that," Brea said bemusedly. "But fall of course."

"See told you," Matt cheered.

"The leaves make it the winner Chad. Falling leaves, you just can't beat it," Brea giggled before Caroline place her glass on the table and pretty much fell on top of Matt as she tried to get into the booth.

"Whoa. Hey," Matt exclaimed as Brea leaned forward concerned.

"I slim… I'm slipped. I slipped," Caroline finally managed to get out.

"Hammered, huh?" Matt noticed.

"Dude this is two nights in a row," Brea said shaking her head.

"Well… a very nice but not handsome bartender was very kind to me tonight. Unlike the rest of the global humanverse."

Brea noticed Caroline's demeanour and asked, "are you ok Care?"

Caroline, not hearing her friend asked, "are you those curly fries?" as she spied the basket of fries on the table.

"Coffee for the drunk girl," Matt asked Chad.

When Chad didn't move fast enough, Brea said, "that means you Chad, please," and he sighed and got up to get coffee.

"Bad night huh?" Matt asked as Caroline sighed.

"Baddest," Brea leaned forward across the table and grabbed her hand concerned. "Am I shallow?" Caroline asked.

"Is that a trick question?" Matt asked unsure how to answer.

"I don't mean to be. I… I wanna be deep. I wanna be, like, the abyss deep."

"No offence Care, but deep's really not your scene."

At this Brea kicked Matt under the table. "Read the mood, Matt, read the mood," she hissed.

"That's true. I'm shallow. I am worse than shallow. I'm a kiddie pool," Caroline stuttered as she started to cry and Brea got up and knelt beside her.

"Care, you're perfect the way you are. Did someone say something to you?" Brea asked rubbing Caroline's arm.

"You're not a kiddie pool," Matt tried to comfort. "You're not a kiddie pool."

"Can I just go home?" Caroline asked.

"Yeah, I'll take you, come on," Matt said. Caroline reached out to Brea beside her and tried to hug her but ended up falling out of the booth, pushing Brea over. Matt reached out quickly and caught Caroline before she hit the floor leaving Brea to tumble to the ground.

"Ouch Care," she winced.

"Sorry," Caroline apologised as she began to cry again.

"Oh, no, don't cry," Brea groaned as she tried to stand up.

"She's all right Caroline. She always falls over, it's no different from usual," Matt joked as he smirked at Brea despite her glare. "Hold still. Hold still," he instructed Caroline. "All right. 1, 2, 3," Matt counted as he picked Caroline up.

"Why do you never do that with me? It looks like fun," Brea asked.

"You never get drunk Brea," Matt smiled.

"Hey could you drop me home on your way," she asked. "I've had enough of this. I only came because I was scared Caroline would attack me if I didn't."

"Yeah sure come on," he nodded as the three of them walked outside, only to see a few police cars out front.

"Oh my god Sheriff warning!" Brea hissed to Matt as Sheriff Forbes caught sight of Caroline in Matt's arms and began running over.

"What happened? Is she ok?" she asked.

"Like you care," Caroline mumbled.

"She's drunk?" Sheriff Forbes realised.

"As a skunk," Caroline joked, causing Brea's eyes to widen and she slapped a hand over her friend's mouth, so she wouldn't get in more trouble with her mom.

"Are they serving you in there?" the Sheriff asked angrily.

"I'll take her home. It's on my way, I'm taking Brea home too. I haven't been drinking," Matt hesitantly answered.

"I would appreciate that, Matt. Thank you," as Sheriff Forbes said this, Brea removed her hand from Caroline's mouth. "You and I will discuss this later."

"Mmm, can't wait," Caroline sang as Brea closed her eyes to grimace and Matt walked away with Caroline. As Brea went to follow Sheriff Forbes pulled her back.

"Look into my eyes, Brea."

"I haven't been drinking Liz," Brea said nervously as Liz studied her eyes.

"Ok, sweetie. Thank you for helping Caroline," she nodded, letting Brea run after Matt. As Brea chased after Matt, she stumbled on a step and fell down a few steps, quickly grabbing onto the railing to stop herself from falling to the ground again.

"Ok, I know how that looks but I swear I didn't drink," Brea quickly defended as she turned back to face Liz who just smiled at the girl. She'd known Brea for years and was well aware she had a clumsy streak at times.

As Brea got in the backseat of Matt's truck she heard Caroline singing, "I got a pocket, got a pocket full of sunshine, I got a got a love and it's all mine woah, oh wooo."

"Wow Care, you're usually a great singer," Brea laughed as she listened to her sings off-tune rendition.

"This is going to be a long drive home," Matt groaned. The rest of the drive to the Gilbert house was filled with Caroline singing very off-key songs, from rock songs to nursery rhymes. "Ok stop 1, Gilbert house," Matt laughed at his joke from the front.

"Hilarious," Brea remarked sarcastically. "Thanks for the lift Matt, see you tomorrow, good luck," Brea said gesturing to Caroline before getting out of the car.

Chapter Text

EDITED SEP22

"No Stefan," Brea noted as she and Elena entered history class.

"Yeah, duh. I noticed," Elena snapped.

"Ok, snippy," Brea said raising her eyebrows.

"Sorry," Elena mumbled as she slumped into her seat.

"Good morning, everyone," the new teacher said as he entered the room. "Alrighty. Alaric Saltzman," he said reading his name out as he wrote it on the board. "It's a mouthful. I know. Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. Saltzman is of German origins. My family emigrated here in 1755 to Texas. I, however, was born and raised in Boston. Now, the name Alaric belongs to a very dead great-grandfather I will never be able to thank enough," he joked. "You'll probably want to pronounce it 'Ala-ric,' but it's 'A-lar-ic' ok? So you can call me Ric. I'm your new history teacher."

Brea's eyes widened, he was perfect. "Lena," she whispered leaning over to her sister.

"What?" she snapped.

"What do you think?" she said gesturing her head to Mr Saltzman. "Cute huh?"

"Yeah and way too old for you," she scoffed.

"No, not for me! For our lonely aunt of course."

"Oh, not bad picking. I like it," Elena said with an approving nod.

Brenna hung back after class to talk to Mr Saltzman as everyone cleared out. "Yes, how may I uh, how may I help you?" he asked, shocked to see someone waiting for him.

"Hi, I'm Brenna Gilbert, um, Brea Gilbert, I'm just wondering if it's ok if I have a quick chat with you about my brother?" she asked. "His name's Jeremy."

"Ah Jeremy Gilbert, yes I did get an entire file on him from your old teacher."

"Ha! Oh my god really! I knew Tanner had a file on him but Jer never believed me! Look, I don't know if it was in the file, but our parents died a few months back and Jer just fell off the rails and Tanner really had it in for him when his behaviour dropped. I mean it was slightly fair, Jer was the biggest troublemaker. But Mr Saltzman, he's really trying to turn it around, I mean, he's doing homework again. He didn't even do homework before the accident. I just, I'd really appreciate if you wouldn't mind starting on a clean slate with him? Help him a fresh start," Brea asked.

"Thank you, Brea, I will make a note to talk to him. I agree with you though. I think a new teacher means a clean slate. Thank you though, for expressing your concern."

"Thank you, Mr Saltzman, I'll see you, next class," Brea said leaving with a smile.

As Brea walked out of the school she saw Damon and Bonnie talking and Bonnie rushing into her car. Brea walked up to the car seeing as that was her lift home.

"What the hell was that?" she asked Damon who had walked toward her, meeting her in the middle of the grass.

"And what exactly would you be asking about Miss Brenna?" he smiled.

"That thing with Bonnie over there, leave her alone Damon, I mean it."

"I want my crystal back."

"You mean Caroline's necklace?" Brea asked and he nodded. "Well, you're not getting it back. Besides, it wouldn't match your eyes."

"How've you been holding up?" he asked. "Since Halloween? Your head's healing nicely," he said as he pushed some hair out of her face.

Brenna frowned, confused as to why he was nice to her, "why do you care?" she asked.

"Just do," he smiled, dropping his hand. "Have a good night," he smirked before walking away. Brea stared after him before she heard Elena calling her name and she walked over to Bonnie's car, ready to go home.

"He's bad news guys, he really scared me, guys," Bonnie said talking about how Damon wanted her seemingly haunted necklace back in his possession.

"You need to stay as far away from Damon as possible," Elena warned.

"Here, here," Brea agreed.

"I'm trying. He just keeps showing up."

"I don't want you to be alone. You're sleeping at our place tonight. We can make a whole night out of it," Elena smiled.

"Oh yay girl's night, we haven't had one of them in a while," Brea cheered.

Bonnie then abruptly pulled over the car and got out. "Where are you going?" Elena asked as Bonnie ran off and threw the necklace into a field and got back in the car.

"You teach that necklace a lesson Bon," Brea laughed as Bonnie smiled in relief.

"Are you ok?" Elena asked more concerned.

"Now I am. All my problems were because of that thing. Can't believe I didn't do that sooner."

"What's your grams going to say?" Elena asked

"Oh, she's gonna be so mad!" Brea giggled.

"Grams isn't the one being haunted by a 150-year-old ghost, is she?" Bonnie argued.

"Ok, then," Elena muttered as Bonnie started driving again.

As the three girls walked into the Gilbert house Jeremy and Jenna were leaving, as Jeremy passed Brea on the way out he asked "Grill?"

"Yep," Brenna said turning around and walking right back out the door as Elena and Bonnie called after her protesting.

As soon as the three walked into the Grill Brea elbowed Jeremy in the ribs. "Ow!" he complained, shoving her shoulder.

"Guys, we're in public," Jenna discouraged.

Brea locked eyes with Jeremy and pointed out Mr Saltzman eating alone. "For Jenna," she whispered. "Elena agrees." Jeremy's eyes lit up and he gave her a devious smile and nodded, ready to play matchmaker. "And on the plus side, he's not chatting up every lady in here, so already better than Logan."

All three sat down. "Know what you want guys?" Jenna asked.

"Yeah, hey Jenna, look at that lovely looking gentleman over there," Brea said pointing Mr Saltzman out.

"I like a man who can dine alone, a quiet strength," Jenna mused as she stared and Brea gave Jeremy a thumbs up. "Knock it off Brea," she said turning back around.

"I thought you were still in that whole Logan depression thing," Jeremy noted causing Brea to kick him under the table. "Ow!"

"Oh, I've sworn off men forever, but it doesn't mean I can't observe them from a safe distance."

"No Jenna no! Spread your wings, don't give up. He could be the one, he could be the one!" Brenna sang.

"Is that from Hannah Montana?" Jeremy asked with a smirk.

"How do you know that's from Hannah Montana, Jer?" Brea laughed, causing Jenna's eye's to widen in delight.

"Shut up," Jeremy muttered turning pink. "We can introduce you to him," Jeremy suggested.

"Yeah we have an in, Jenna, we're just that cool," Brea said, gesturing between herself and Jeremy, but Jenna just shook her head.

"He's actually really nice Jenna, he's our new history teacher. He's letting me do some extra credit. A paper. On anything I want," Jeremy added.

"Oh yay Jer that's great!" Brea cheered.

"You picked a topic?" Jenna asked.

"No, not yet. It's gotta be local and non-internet research, so…"

"Well, that's easy. You got all your dad's stuff," Jenna said.

"What stuff?" Brea and Jeremy asked.

"How the Gilberts came over on the 'Mayflower' stuff. All that family lineage from way back. Your dad really loved all that family history stuff. It's all boxed up in the closet."

"Yeah, we should really clean that closet out," Brea noted as the other two nodded in agreement at the thought of their messy closet. Brea noticed Mr Saltzman making a move towards their table out of the corner of her eye and rapidly started tapping Jeremy's foot.

"Mr Saltzman!" Jeremy said enthusiastically as he reached the table.

"Jeremy, Brea, what's up?" he asked.

"This is my aunt Jenna," Jeremy introduced.

"The lovely, lovely Aunt Jenna," Brea elaborated.

"Alaric Saltzman. It's nice to meet you," he introduced himself.

"Jeremy was just telling me about his paper. Thanks for giving him another chance," Jenna smiled

"Oh, you know, it was my first day. I wanted to make a good impression," he shrugged.

"Jer and I are going to get some drinks. Does anyone want anything? No? Cool yep got it," Brea said quickly, dragging Jeremy off before anyone could actually request a drink.

"Ow, ow, what are we doing?" Jeremy asked.

"Giving the two privacy to hit it off, duh," she said, as she and Jeremy snuck out of the side exit of the Grill.

Both Jeremy and Brea's phones buzzed at the same time as they got a message to the 'No Elena' group chat.

Jenna - Real subtle you two! :)

"We did it!" Jeremy cheered.

"We are too good! Jer, if we play our cards right, he might be the one to convince Jenna to let us get a kitten!"

"No way, I want a puppy" he disagreed as they started walking toward home.

"We agreed on a kitten when we were younger. That was a binding contract between siblings," Brea argued.

"I was 4!"

Brea's phone buzzed again.

E - Where are you? So much for a girl's night, I'm dying here Brenna. I've got Care and Bonnie and they're at each other's throats.

B - I'm on my way, sorry twinster.

As soon as she clicked send on the message she groaned, "check it out Jer, I am going to be in so much trouble. I just called Elena twinster, she's going to kill me when we get home."

"Oh yeah, you are so dead," he laughed as he looked at the text.

"Oh shoot, I need to text Ty," Brea realised.

"Urgh, you're talking to that jerk again?" Jeremy groaned.

"He's not a jerk to me Jer. He's my best friend. And he apologised."

"He didn't apologise to me and in case you forgot I'm the one he actually had a fight with."

"Do you want an apology? I will noogie it out of him," Brea said with a smile as she annoyingly poked her brother's cheek.

"No way, I will be more than happy if I never have to speak to him again."

"I get it Jer. But please," she said stopping, "please don't fight with him again. You know how he struggles with his dad, he just struggles to contain his temper sometimes."

"I won't go for him," Jeremy agreed as they started walking again. "If he comes for me though…"

"Hit him," Brea laughed as they reached the front door of the house. As they got to the door it flung open and Caroline and Elena screamed in fright as they nearly ran into the siblings.

"What the hell," Jeremy said irritated as he walked through to the kitchen.

"You two are weird," Brea said acknowledging the strange behaviour. "What've you been doing the past couple of hours? Watching horror movies or something?"

"I'm outta here," a panting Caroline said running past Brea.

"See ya," Brea called after her before turning to Elena to see her lunging across the room to grab her phone. "What are you doing?" Brea asked, confused at the strange behaviour

Elena ignored her sister and frantically called a number. "It's Bonnie," she said to the person on the other line.

"Where is Bonnie?" Brea asked looking around to find the other friend that was meant to be here as Elena just raised a hand to silence her.

"Emily is possessing her. She said something"

"What! Emily? As in necklace ghost Emily?" Brea gasped. What had she missed?

Elena continued ignoring Brea and said "she said 'I won't let him have it. It must be destroyed.' And then she just left."

"Elena, what is going on?" Brea asked frantically.

"I don't know," Elena said to both Brea and who Brea assumed must be Stefan on the other end of the phone. "Fells Church, by the old cemetery."

"Oh I've been there," Brea said.

"We've never been there," Elena said quickly to Brea. "That's where she took Bonnie in her dreams. We have to help her, Stefan." Elena then hung up the phone and grabbed Brea's hand dragging her out the door to the car.

Brea's phone buzzed with a message from Jeremy.

J - He dropped her home! Mr Saltzman dropped her home! We did it. We are da bomb. But it's our history teacher. What if it doesn't work out and we end up with bad grades? Damn now I'm having regrets.

"Elena I swear you have to tell me what in the world is going on."

"Bonnie is possessed by Emily, her ancestor who used to own the necklace, we have to help her. Damon will kill her if he finds out, he needs the necklace for some reason. Stefan was trying to find out why," Elena hurriedly said as the car came to a screaming halt and the girls got out and ran. "Bonnie!" Elena screamed when she saw their friend.

"Oh my lord that is a lot of fire," Brea screeched. "Bonnie get out of there!" she yelled spotting her friend in the middle of the flames. Stefan ran away from Damon's side and towards the two girls, stopping them from getting closer to the flames.

Bonnie threw the necklace into the air and Damon roared in despair "no!" as it exploded. The flames then died down and Bonnie looked around confused and then screamed as Damon attacked her. Stefan sped away and ripped Damon off of her while Elena and Brea ran towards a now unconscious Bonnie. Stefan bent down pressing his ear to her chest as the two twins stood there in shock.

"She's alive, but barely. I can save her," Stefan told them before biting his wrist and feeding her his blood as the twins glared at Damon in hatred.

"Her neck," Elena gasped making Brea look down, "it's healing." Brea let out a breath as she saw the puncture wounds on Bonnie's neck close up.

Brea then stormed towards Damon and slapped him in the face. "How could you do that to me?" she hissed. Damon just looked down in disappointment. "She's my friend." Stefan moved to Brea's side, ushering her away from a devastated Damon and towards Elena's car where Bonnie was now looking around in confusion.

Brea got halfway back to the car when she sighed and looked back to where Damon was now sitting up against a tree.

Brea went to walk towards him when Stefan cut her off. "Woah no I wouldn't go over there," Stefan protested.

"It's fine, Stefan, I'll be back," Brea assured before she walked off and sat down in front of Damon. "Damon... what was so important about that necklace?" she asked.

"Katherine. She's alive. I got Emily Bennett to seal her in a tomb underneath the old church in 1864. I just wanted her back," he said devastated. Damon then looked up at Brea "I just wanted her back. Don't you?" he asked seriously and Brea tilted her head in confusion.

"Enough Damon. Brenna let's get your back to the car," Stefan said as he approached the pair.

"Ok," Brea agreed before placing a comforting hand on Damon's shoulder and walking off to the car.

"Kids are so messy," Jenna groaned.

"Jeremy is so messy," Brenna corrected. "Elena and I are fine."

"He pulled out all these boxes and left them all over the…" Jenna trailed off lifting up an old photo of her and Logan Fell.

"Urgh, rip that up Jenna, his ugliness washes out your beauty,"

"I didn't think my beauty could be washed out," Jenna laughed, placing a hand on her niece's face before making up her mind and ripping the photo.

"Oh wow, I didn't think you'd actually do it! Your date with Mr Saltzman must've gone well then," Brea teased.

"Oh yeah, by the way, Jeremy is sulking in his room because you apparently didn't reply to his text," Jenna said changing the subject.

"God teenagers are needy," Brea joked as the doorbell rang. "How rude! Jenna, don't answer it. It's midnight, way too late," she said chasing her aunt to the door. "Ew, gross," she said when Jenna opened it to reveal Logan on the other side of the door.

"Hello, Jenna."

"Logan," Jenna said in shock.

"Shut the door Jenna, shut it," Brea whispered in her aunt's ear.

"Aren't you gonna invite me in?" he asked smiling at Jenna.

"Why are you here, Logan?" Jenna asked, ignoring his request to come in.

"I missed you. I was out of town," he explained.

"Yeah. I got that e-mail," she scoffed.

"Very rude email by the way," Brea added.

"You got an email?" he asked confused.

"You didn't send an email?" Jenna said trying to jog his memory.

"I can explain," he said moving on. "Just invite me in, and I'll tell you anything."

"No way," Brea jumped in. "Jenna has a new boyfriend," she exaggerated. "We don't want you around here."

"I'm not gonna invite you in. Forget it," Jenna sassed.

"Come on Jenna. It's me," he said trying to charm her.

"Yeah, you, Logan the jerk," Brea snarled.

"Brea," Jenna huffed. "The answer is no," she told him.

"I know you. You're always one step from a maybe. A tiny nudge to yes," he smirked.

"Calling my aunt a pushover? Good tactic," Brea snorted

"Yeah, you just pointed out that I have no self-control. Yes, clever strategy," Jenna snapped sarcastically before slamming the door in his face.

"Good riddance!" Brea cheered.

"Bed," Jenna ordered, putting her hands on Brea's shoulders and walking her towards the stairs.

"What are you reading Jer?" Brea said passing her brother's room.

"Crazy Jonathan Gilbert's journal, you should read it. It's a good laugh," he said getting back to it as Brea walked into Elena's room.

"Yo, yo," Brea said enthusiastically.

"Brenna, I am never going to give you the reply you want for that. Stop trying," Elena smiled walking into the bathroom and freezing before frantically waving Brea over. "Look, he's sketching!" she gasped as she pointed to Jeremy in the next room, who had put down the journal and begun drawing in his sketchbook.

"Oh my god, I think Damon single-handedly saved our baby brother's life," Brea smiled as she and Elena shut the door and headed downstairs.

"Jeremy's got his sketch pad out," Elena rushed to tell Jenna when they got downstairs.

"You're kidding!" Jenna gasped.

"Nope, but don't say a word. The minute we encourage him, he'll put it away," Elena said.

"He's a fickle one that Jer," Brea muttered.

"Psychology major, check that," Jenna suggested to Elena. Brea nudged Jenna to point out a mopey Elena staring at her phone. "You and Stefan? Update?"

"He knows how I feel and where I stand. And I know where he stands, but it doesn't matter. He's leaving, moving away."

"We should start a soap opera," Brea suggested only to be met with glares. "Fine, never mind, sorry. I thought it was a gold mine but never mind."

"Where's he going?" Jenna asked.

"I've stopped asking questions. The answers get scary," Elena sighed.

"Alaska," Brea jokingly whispered to Jenna.

"That is scary. Yours leaves, mine returns," Jenna told Elena.

"Logan?" Elena frowned.

"He's back," Jenna nodded

"Yep, the jerk face is back," Brea huffed.

"I didn't let him past the front door."

"I hope you slammed it in his face," Elena said.

"Oh yes, you're finally on the right side of things," Brea cheered. "And she did, I was very proud."

"It was a medium slam," Jenna muttered, annoyed she didn't close it harder.

"3-strike rule, Jenna. You're not even allowed to watch the news," Elena teased.

"Exactly. No more Logan 'Scum' Fell."

"This is so my day!" Brea said excitedly as they got in the car. "My twin is on our Logan hating side, my scum fell nickname was just used in a sentence and I can get Jeremy to start drawing scary pictures again to leave on Elena's pillow."

Brea was standing next to Tyler while he spoke with someone on the football team when she saw Caroline and Matt walking together, so she hit his arm hard and they both stared at their two friends talking.

"Well this is news," she said shocked.

"Not sure I like it," Tyler said.

"Oh my god, imagine the little blonde babies they'd have!" Brea cooed, deliberately trying to get under his skin.

"Ew, ew, ew. Never say that to me again," Tyler said shaking his head trying to get rid of the images.

"You're in charge of investigating Tyler," Brea said, slapping her hand onto his shoulder.

"What? Why?"

"You owe me, you ask him," Brea shrugged.

"What do I owe you for?"

"Jer."

"Ok, fair, fair. Why don't you ask Matt though? You guys are tight."

"Well, because his ex-girlfriend is my twin sister, duh."

"So?"

"So if I ask him, it'll look like Elena was asking."

"You may have a point."

"Find out, you have 2 hours," Brea jokingly instructed as she walked away.

"What'd you find out?" Brea asked as she came to stand next to Tyler as he was looking over his sketches at the careers fair later that day.

"Apparently nothing is going on. Time will tell. I think he's got a thing for her," he told Brea.

"That's good, that way he can stop moping over my sister. Makes him such a downer." At this Tyler turned his head to smile at Brea.

"You're in a cheeky mood this evening Brea," he said with a smirk.

"I feel good. It's my day Ty! Everything is falling right into place. I should enter the lottery! I'll split the winnings with you and we can run away to the Bahamas." Tyler just shook his head smiling and looked back down at the sketches he drew.

"I'm grumpy," Matt whined coming to Brea and walking with her.

"And why is that Matthew?"

"Thought I was making progress with Elena but then Stefan came."

"Matthew! What would Caroline say?" Brea gasped, playfully shoving him with her elbow.

"Oh come on, not you too," he groaned.

"Trouble in paradise Ty, Matt and Care are already fighting. Oh no," Brea groaned as she spotted Logan Fell walking through the halls. "I gotta find Jenna, if either of you sees her, you're not to let Logan Fell near her? Got it?" she demanded, raising her finger to point in their faces until they nodded. "Great, thank you. I'll catch you guys later," she said running to find Jenna. "Jenna! The scum Fell has landed, I repeat the scum Fell has landed, run, run," she said pushing her aunt into the nearest classroom. "Oh hey, Stefan, Elena. Hide us."

"What's going on?" Elena asked.

"The scum Fell has landed," Jenna said to Elena, mocking what Brea had yelled at her moments ago.

"Logan's here?" Elena asked.

"Wait. Logan Fell?" Stefan clarified.

"No, Logan scum Fell. You have to add the scum Stef, or it just doesn't work," Brea told him. After hearing this Stefan ran off. "He's always been a strange one," Brea explained to Jenna as Elena followed him out.

"I think you're the strange one sweetie," Jenna smiled as she took Brea's hand and lead her out of the classroom and directly into the path of Logan Fell.

"Jenna, are you dodging me?" Logan asked.

"Run, Jenna, run," Brea whispered as she tried to pull her aunt away from him.

"It's a form of self-preservation," Jenna snarked.

Stefan and Elena saw the confrontation brewing and quickly ran back over to them. "Um, Elena, why don't you, Brea and Jenna go somewhere else," Stefan suggested.

"Stefan, we're big kids," Brea started to argue but then Elena dragged them both off by their hands. "Wow, geez Elena! Chill you, psychopath."

"He's a vampire," Elena whispered in Brea's ear making her eyes go wide. "When Logan came to the house, what did he say?" Elena demanded of Jenna.

"Fake flattery. Stupid, dimpled grin, puppy dog eyes," Jenna groaned.

"I'm serious, Jenna. How did he act? What did he say?" Elena pressed.

"Bit pushy, Lena," Brea warned.

"He was the usual Logan, was charming, little more manic than usual. He kept trying to convince me to let him in."

"We didn't let him in," Brea interjected as she saw Elena's face. "We're better than that aren't we Jenna?" Brea said, raising a hand for Jenna to high-five proudly.

"Ok, listen to me very carefully," Elena said, putting her hands on Jenna's shoulders. "Do not, under any circumstances, talk to him again. I'm serious, Jenna, like, ever."

Jenna was giving Elena a funny look so Brea stepped in to cover for her, "we just really don't like him, Jenna. If you talk to him we'll stage a coup and overthrow you as the adult of the house and make you sleep in the basement."

"We don't have a basement?" Jenna frowned.

"We'll make a basement just for you to sleep in."

"Hey Elena, Brea, Jenna," Mr Saltzman greeted, coming up behind Jenna.

"Hi, Mr Saltzman," Elena politely replied.

"Heyyy," Brea smiled making a winky eye at Jenna.

"Yeah, I was hoping to, uh, see you tonight," he said to Jenna.

"Career night is the new bowling," Jenna joked making Mr Saltzman laugh.

"They're so cute," Brea whispered to Elena.

"Ok, um, excuse us," Elena said dragging Brea away. "Go find Tyler or something," Elena ordered lightly shoving Brea as she walked off.

"You're a bully Elena Gilbert," Brea called out after her sister's retreating figure.

"Want a ride home?" Brea asked Jeremy as she walked with him through the hall.

"Yeah, where's Elena?"

"Got a ride with Stefan apparently. Who knows what's going on between those two," Brea said with a small smile.

"Jenna?" Jeremy asked.

"Well, she will be getting a ride with Mr Saltzman because there will be no nieces or nephews in sight."

"Nice. Smart and evil. I like it," Jeremy nodded.

"Come on," she said gesturing and they began walking out of the school.

"Hey," Jeremy said as they passed Tyler.

"What do you want?" Tyler snapped.

"Not again," Brea murmured and both guys shook their heads.

"I don't know, I uh, I thought that was weird with your dad, what he did. Is he like that all the time? Is that- is that what you gotta go through?" Jeremy asked with genuine concern. "Man, I- I get it. I get it." Tyler's fist then swung and he punched Jeremy whilst Brea gasped. "What's your problem!" Jeremy yelled as he held his nose.

"Let me see, let me see," Brea pleaded as she tried to grab Jeremy's face in her hands, but he just kept squirming away.

"Look, I don't need your pity," Tyler snapped.

"Seriously, you don't have to be like this, you don't. Why don't you let people see the nice side, the side you show her!" Jeremy said, gesturing to Brea.

"Just go!" Tyler snapped.

"Jer, let's go," Brea pleaded as she pulled on his arm. She didn't want to be anywhere near Tyler right now. She was trying her hardest to stop herself from going over and slapping Tyler.

Jeremy yelled out "what is your problem man?"

"I don't know," Tyler called back sulking off aware that he was once again in Brea's bad books.

"What happened with mayor Lockwood?" Brea asked

"The dude's a psycho. He wanted Tyler and me to fight."

As Brea pulled up in the driveway her phone rang. "Go, I'll see you inside," she said quietly to Jeremy as he got out of the car and she answered Elena's call. "Hey, Lena, what's up?"

"Brea!" she called through tears. "I need you to pick me up, now, please. Brea, please."

"Where are you? Lena where are you?" Brea asked frantically.

"I don't know, somewhere on the highway outside Stefan's house."

"What! He didn't give you a lift home?"

"No, something happened, I can't tell you over the phone please, Brea, please pick me up. I just ran out of his house."

"Lena, Lena, I'm coming ok, I'll see you soon." Brea pulled out of the driveway and got on the highway to find her sister. When she saw her sister walking along the side of the road, she rolled down her window and called out, "LENA!" as she pulled up beside herm letting her sister get in the car. "What's wrong?" she asked, reaching over to brush the hair out of her twin's tear-stained face.

"We look like them."

"What are you talking about?"

"Katherine and her sister. Katherine's sister, her name, it's Brenna. Her name is Brenna. We look like them. Just like them."

Brea froze "what?" she asked confused, but Elena just looked forward, glassy-eyed so Brea pulled out onto the road and started driving as Elena sniffled next to her. "So how do we look similar?" she asked after a few moments of silence.

"No, not similar. Exactly the same. We could be… twins. LOOK OUT!" Elena screamed as they both noticed a man standing in the middle of the road. Brea tried to swerve, but she couldn't in time and the car hit the man on the road, causing the car to flip and roll across the road.

"Elena," Brea moaned after the car stopped flipping and looked over to her twin to see her thankfully still conscious and coughing. "Oh my god, Elena, thank god," Elena turned to look at Brea and quickly her traumatised face turned into one of fear.

"Brea," she whispered. "Look." Brea turned her head to see what Elena was so scared of. The man she had hit with her car was cracking his arms and legs and slowly standing up. Both girls started panicking as he stood up on his feet and were frantically trying to free themselves from the wreckage. The man started stalking towards the car and as his feet reached Brea's side of the wreckage the girls grabbed each other's hands. As he started leaning down, they both screamed at the top of their lungs. The strange man then abruptly ran away. As Brea moved forward a bit to see if he was still there, another man jumped to the ground next to her head causing them both to scream again.

"How ya doing in there?" the new man asked.

"Damon?" Elena said making Brea open her eyes and realise it was Damon by her door.

"You both look stuck," he noted with concern.

"Please help me, Damon, I can't get out. Damon," Brea cried.

"It's the seatbelt," Elena told him as Brea closed her eyes. Damon stood up and adjusted some of the wreckage so he could get the girls out.

"I'll get you guys out of here don't worry," he comforted. "Brenna, I need you to focus, stay awake. Elena, I'm gonna get Brenna out first and then I'll get you ok. Brenna, I need you to open your eyes, Brenna!" Brea slowly opened her eyes, responding to him yell her name. "Ok I need you to put your hands on the roof ok," he instructed, Brea nodded and slowly moved her hands onto the roof. "Just like that, you ready? 1, 2, 3" he counted before tearing her seatbelt off and catching her body as she fell. He then pulled her semi-unconscious body out of the car. "Brenna? Can you hear me?" he asked moving the hair out of her face.

"I know you. You're my friend," she whispered before falling unconscious in his arms.

Chapter Text

EDITED SEP22

New Orleans, 1821

" Have either of you two gentlemen seen Rebekah?" Brenna asked Klaus and Elijah as she entered the room.

" Brenna, love," Klaus smiled. "Perfect timing, I was just about to come and fetch you, I have a surprise for you," Klaus said with a smile to Brenna.

" Niklaus, this is neither the time nor the place," Elijah warned seriously.

" Trust me, sweetheart, you'll love it," Klaus smiled, shooting her one of his signature grins.

Brenna huffed before she relented and nodded. " I can't stay long, I must head home soon, I just wanted to talk to Rebekah about something," Brenna hesitated before giving in, "lead the way Nik." As Brenna walked into the room around the corner, she saw the dead bodies of 3 women, with a man crouched over one of them, attached to her neck and her eyes widened.

As the man placed one of the girl's bodies on the ground he clapped his hands and cheered. "Bravo, that was delectable," before turning around.

Brenna didn't get a chance to look at his face as she spun with a scream and tried to run, but Klaus was in the way. "Let me go, let me go," Brenna screamed at him.

" Relax sweetheart, no one here is going to hurt you," Klaus said trying to calm her down.

" You promised! You promised!" she yelled as she kneed Klaus in the groin and ran. She barely made it into the corridor when this new man appeared in front of her.

Brenna tried to push past him but he grabbed her "relax darling. It's not like I'm going to hurt you." When she realised she couldn't get past him she threw herself out of his arms and ran the other way but he appeared in front of her again. Brenna covered her face with her hands and stumbled back into the wall crying. "Darling, darling, please," he cooed as he tried to pry her hands from her face, but she kept her eyes closed. "Darling, please look at me. I've missed you so much." Something in Brenna clicked as the voice sounded familiar so she opened her eyes.

"Ouch," Brea moaned lifting her head up.

"Ah wakey wakey little miss sunshine," Damon cooed. "Your sister's been awake for a while."

"Elena?" Brea groaned.

"Hey, are you ok?" Elena asked as she reached her hand towards the back seat of the car and grabbed Brea's hand. "We had to pull over about 10 minutes ago. I mean I wanted to, but he didn't, but then you started screaming your head off so we had to," she said quickly.

"I need to brush my teeth," Brea moaned, "my mouth tastes gross. Where are we?"

"You hit your head pretty hard back there. Then you started screaming, kinda freaked me out," he smiled.

"Where are we?" Brea tried asking again.

"Georgia," Damon drawled.

"No, we're not."

"Yeah, we are. We are in Georgia. I really didn't think it'd be that confusing for you two," Damon said with an eye roll. "How are you feeling anyway?"

"Like I got in a car accident, oh my god, the car!" Brea gasped.

"I pulled it to the side of the road. No one will bother it. Are you getting a sense of deja vu as well Elena or is it just me? Because I'm pretty sure you and I had this exact same conversation while sleeping beauty was napping back there," he joked but Elena just ignored him.

"Where's my phone?" Brea asked. "Damon?"

"God, you two really are twins, here," he said throwing her phone in the backseat. "What were you dreaming about anyway? I mean you screamed pretty loud."

"Um nothing," she said as she went to check her phone but decided not to. She knew she'd be in big trouble with Jenna for not coming home last night.

"A bar?" Brea asked when they pulled up.

"We can't get in, we're underage," Elena mumbled.

"Bree!" Damon yelled when they walked in.

"Not you," he dismissed Brea. "She's also called Bree," he smiled over at the lady behind the bar.

"Hello Damon," Bree said smiling and walked over to Damon, grabbing his face and promptly sticking her tongue down his throat, causing Elena to gasp and pull her sister away from Damon. "Listen up everybody! Here's to the man that broke my heart, crushed my soul, destroyed my life, and ruined any and all chances of happiness. Drink up!" Bree said passing out shots. Damon drank his shot while Elena and Brea just stared at theirs, causing Damon to lean over and pick them up, drinking the shots for the girls.

"Thank you," Brea said with a laugh.

"So, how'd he rope you two in?" Bree asked.

"We're not roped in. Actually, I'm dating his-" Elena started.

"Honey, if you're not roped, you're whipped. Either way, just enjoy the ride."

"Ok," Elena said wanting to change the topic quickly. Elena looked over at Brea and saw her very nervously fidgeting in her seat. Elena, wanting to relax her, leant over and nudged her gently and gave her a smile. "So how did you two meet?" Elena asked, turning back to the witch.

"College," Bree laughed.

"Wait, what?" Brea laughed. "You went to college?" she asked, turning to look at Damon.

"I've been on the college campus, yes," Damon smirked.

"Of course," Brea snorted with a smirk.

"About 20 years ago, when I was a sweet, young freshman. I met this beautiful man, and I fell in love," Bree said, smiling at Damon.

"Someone fell in love with you?" Brea snorted. "How is that possible?" she asked before sticking her tongue out at Damon. Damon just laughed at her and flung his arm around her shoulder which made Elena look at them both in concern.

"Well then he told me about his little secret, made me love him even more," Bree continued. "Because, you see, I had a little secret of my own that I was dying to share with somebody."

"She's a witch," Damon whispered to the girls.

"He changed my world," Bree smirked.

"I rocked your world," Damon returned with a smirk.

"Ew," Brea groaned, throwing Damon's arm off her shoulder. "Too much information."

"He is good in the sack, isn't he?" Bree asked the twins making their eyebrows shoot up their forehead. "But mostly he's just a walk-away Joe."

"Ok, I need that drink now," Brea said, finally relaxing as she snatched the shot out of Damon's hand and downed it.

"Woah, do you think that's a good idea? You did just nearly die," Damon emphasised as he put his hand on her shoulder.

"I feel fine Damon, if I'm gonna be listening to, urgh, this all day," she said, waving her hand between him and Bree. "I'm gonna need that drink."

"So, what is it that you want?" Bree finally asked Damon.

Before Damon could answer Elena's phone began ringing. "Oh no," Elena groaned as she pulled out her phone to check it. "It's Jenna, come on Brea we better take this outside," Elena said taking her sister's hand and dragging her outside to talk to Jenna. "Hi, Jenna," Elena greeted cheerily as she answered.

"Hey, Aunt Jenna!" Brea sang, trying to ease the anger she knew her aunt felt.

"We're so sorry," Elena apologised for them both.

"Where are you two? Why didn't you call? Why isn't Brea answering her phone?"

"We were tired," Brea lied quickly.

"And we slept at Bonnie's," Elena added. "This morning we just wanted to get to school."

"Are you both ok?" Jenna asked concerned.

"You know, Stefan and stuff," Elena said truthfully.

"She's moping Jenna, trust me, you should be glad you're not witnessing this mess," Brea added for effect.

"Hey," Elena disputed offended.

"Ok, alright, I trust you guys, I'll see you both tonight, you better be here," Jenna said warily before hanging up.

Just as Jenna hung up Elena's phone rang again. "Stefan," she sighed before she hesitantly answered the call. "I'm here," she said. Brea crossed her arms and watched her sister argue with Stefan. After all the drama of the night before Brea didn't really understand what was going on. "You lied," Elena snapped. "So you didn't lie? How are we connected to Katherine and her sister… Brenna, Stefan?" Elena demanded. She scoffed when she clearly didn't like his answer, "and we're both supposed to believe that?"

"Hang up," Brea suggested and Elena did just that.

As the girls turned around to go back inside Damon was standing right there. "You ok?" he asked them.

"Don't pretend to care. I know you're gloating inside," Elena said sadly.

"Come on, both of you, inside. We'll get some lunch and you can ask whatever you want."

"Let's just say that we are descended from Katherine, does that make us part vampire?" Elena asked. "And how can Brea have the same name as um... Brenna. It's not exactly a common name."

"Vampires can't procreate. But we love to try," Damon smirked avoiding the question about Brea. "No, if you are related, it would mean Katherine had a child before she was turned," Damon said giving a straight answer.

"Stefan said that Katherine's sister was human, he said Katherine was an old vampire so they couldn't have been biological sisters. How could she have a human sister who looked just like me and then Elena and I are twins and we look the same as them? It doesn't make sense Damon."

"I don't have any answers for that," he shrugged. "Sorry. I didn't exactly get to know their past that well. They were very secretive. On the run from something, never told me what."

"Why wouldn't they tell you?" Brea asked.

"Not sure," he said as he popped a fry into his mouth. "I love them both but they had a bond that nothing could break. They'd always be whispering in corners."

Brea looked down at her food. It all sounded so familiar to her. "Maybe we descended from Brenna? Could she have been a descendant of Katherine herself that's why they said they were sisters? It's a stretch but it could be why Elena and I look like them."

"Not possible," Damon answered.

"Explain," Brea said looking at him.

"I may not have known a lot, but I did overhear some things. Brenna had some vampire boyfriend I know that much. Don't know who or why he wasn't with her. But I know he existed. And as I just said vampires can't procreate, but I don't think she survived the battle of Willow Creek anyway. The town rounded up the vampires and trapped them underneath the church. Stefan and I died trying to save Katherine. I saw Brenna that night, she was human so she wasn't captured, but I never saw her after that. No one I spoke to had seen her since the battle. She was only human she couldn't have gone far," he explained sadly. "She must've got caught in the crossfire."

"I'm sorry," Elena apologised as she could see he was sad about it.

"I'm not looking forward to explaining to Katherine what happened," he smirked as he took a gulp of his beer.

"Did Stefan think that he could use me to replace her?" Elena asked.

"Kinda creepy if you ask me."

"Agreed," Brea sighed.

"Come on, what? Don't you like pickles? What's wrong with you two?" Damon asked taking the pickles off of the girl's plates as he tried to lighten the sombre mood.

"How can you even eat? If technically you're supposed to be…" Elena asked as Brea snorted a laugh.

"Dead," Damon whispered immaturely. "It's not such a bad word. As long as I keep a healthy diet of blood in my system, my body functions pretty normally."

Elena smiled before it dropped, "this nice act. Is any of it real?" Brea looked up at this as Damon hummed.

"Here you go," Bree said placing another beer down in front of Damon.

"Thank you," Damon said.

"We'll both have one too," Elena said.

"We will?" Brea asked in surprise.

"Time out, remember? For 5 minutes? That 5 minutes is going to need a beer," Elena told Brea and Damon with a shrug.

Brea smiled, she hadn't seen Elena easygoing since their parent's accident. "Two beers it is then," she smiled at Bree who started to pour the drinks.

"There you two go," Bree said placing a beer down in front of each girl.

"Hey Damon, look," Brea said as she took a drink. "Foam moustache!" she laughed as she made the beer foam stick to her upper lip. Damon smiled as he looked at her before he quickly began frowning. "What?" Brea asked.

"I don't know Brea," he sighed. "You're different than Elena. Elena just looks like Katherine, but their personalities are completely different. Plus she had curly hair, Elena's is straight. You, well, you and Brenna are the exact same. Same hair, Brenna always loved her waves, same personality, same vocabulary. Everything about you two is the same, the only strange thing is that you're human and so was she. And she would obviously, be long dead by now, even if she did survive the battle."

Brea hesitated to say something before she took another drink of her beer and told him, "what would you think if I told you I may have, umm, memories, I guess you'd call them, of 1864," Brea asked as Elena's eyebrows nearly left her forehead as Damon's furrowed.

"What do you mean by that?" he asked.

"Well, ever since I met you and Stefan I haven't been able to sleep properly. I keep seeing the two of you. And Katherine. At first, I thought it was just some weird twisted dream and I was having Lena play the part of your ex. But, she had curly hair, not like Lena's. And I just. Haha, I probably sound insane," Brea laughed as Damon stared at her shocked. "I shouldn't have said anything," she laughed nervously.

"Brenna," he said taking her hand. "We'll work it out ok."

"Ready… go!" Bree called as everyone downed their shots on her shout.

"And that's 4!" Brea yelled, hands in the air as Elena won again.

"No silly 3," Elena laughed.

"Haha, Damon, Elena beat you 4…"

"3," Elena interjected.

"3 times!"

"Do you need a bib?" Elena said mocking Damon who was wiping his mouth.

"Sorry I can't unhinge my jaw like a snake to consume alcohol like you two seem to be able to do," Damon retorted.

"Whatever. All right. Who's next?" Elena challenged. "Another round Bree?"

"Honey, you two should be on the floor," a random lady next to the twins laughed.

"We are not even drunk," Brea defended.

"Our tolerance is, like, way up here," Elena said pointing to her sister as Brea jumped to mark their high alcohol tolerance only to trip when she landed back on the ground. She let out a little squeak in shock, but Damon had already swooped his arms around her and caught her, preventing her from falling.

"Clumsy, just like Brenna," he muttered. "Maybe you two have had enough?" he suggested.

"Don't be a party pooper, Damon. Oh my god, Lena!" Brea giggled standing up out of Damon's arms.

"Yeah?" Elena asked.

"I've just had the best idea!"

"Tell me!" Elena nodded enthusiastically.

"Why don't we race each other?" Brea suggested with a laugh.

"You. Are. A. Genius. Yes!" Elena cheered. Elena quickly took Brea's hand, "let's go," she said.

Elena and Brea went to leave the bar only to have Damon stand in front of them. "Woah, woah, woah, maybe not a good idea."

"Oh," Brea sighed dejectedly. "ANOTHER SHOT!"

"Another shot," Elena agreed, turning back to the bar.

Elena hit a pool ball into the pocket and both Brea and Elena celebrated. "Brea, I hit the ball in, why are you celebrating?" Elena laughed.

"Noooo, you hit my ball in you silly sausage," Brea laughed poking her sister on the nose before moving to pull the ball out to show her she hit the wrong ball in.

"I did it because you're my favourite sibling and I want you to win, shh, don't tell Jer," Elena said loudly whispering to Brea.

"Aww Elena," Brea cooed as they gave each other a sloppy hug. "You're my favourite sibling today too."

"Today?" Elena asked as she pulled away. Before she could press further, Brea's phone started ringing. "Brea, your phone," Elena giggled.

"I have another great idea, let's go answer it together," Brea suggested, waving it in the air.

"You're so smart," Elena smiled and stroked Brea's hair. The twins giggled before Brea clicked answer. "Hello?"

"Brea?"

"Jenna!" Brea said excitedly. "I've been wanting to talk to you all day bestie!"

"Hold on, it's loud in here," Elena yelled as she yanked Brea out of the bar and put the phone on loudspeaker.

"Brea, Elena, where are you? Are you ok?" Jenna demanded.

"Jenna, I love you, you know. You're my favourite aunt," Brea sang.

"I'm your only aunt," Jenna deadpanned.

"Well then that means you're also my least favourite," Brea said with a gasp. "I'm sorry Jenna. I really don't want you to be my least favourite aunt. I don't mean it, but I have no choice."

"Are you drunk?" Jenna demanded.

"No!" Brea denied in a high-pitched voice. "And quite frankly I resent that accusation."

"Jenna, we're sorry. We're good. Everything's fine," Elena apologised. Brea took a step forward and tripped on a piece of railing, she grabbed Elena for support and ended up pulling her down with her. "Brea, what the hell, that hurt," Elena whined before standing up "Jenna?" she said into the phone before someone covered Elena's mouth and grabbed her. Brea went to try to run inside to get Damon, but the mysterious man grabbed Brea with his other arm and dragged the two of them away with ease.

"Stop licking my hand!" the man growled at Brea who immediately stopped. The mystery man dragged them to an empty industrial site around the corner. "Stay here," he snarled as he released them. Brea just rolled her eyes and went to walk away when his face vamped out in a warning.

"Oh, so it's that kind of stay here? Yep, got it," she said quickly backing up to stand next to her sister.

"I don't want to hurt you two, just him. So stay here or I will kill you," he ordered before running away. Just as he did, Damon rounded the corner looking for them.

"Damon, no!" Elena screamed. But it was too late, the man was hitting Damon with a metal baseball bat. Brea ignored the man's demands to stay there and ran toward Damon, Elena following quickly behind.

"What the hell," Damon groaned at the man hitting him. The man then whooshed over to grab a keg of gasoline before pouring it over Damon.

"NO!" Brea screamed before the man again warned the fast-approaching girls to stay back with his vampire face before he resumed soaking Damon.

"Who are you?" Damon hissed.

"That's perfect. You have no idea," the man snarled.

"What are you talking about?" Elena asked.

"What did he do to you?" Brea asked.

"He killed my girlfriend," the man answered as the girls looked down. "What did she do to you, huh? What did she do to you?!"

"Nothing," Damon admitted.

"We don't understand," Elena said confused.

"My girlfriend went to visit Stefan, and Damon killed her. Got it?" the man explained.

Both girls gasped, "Lexi," Brea whispered.

"Lexi was your girlfriend?" Elena asked him louder. "She told me about you. She said that you were human."

"I was," he said sadly before pulling out a match.

"Lexi turned you?" Elena asked trying to distract him.

"If you want to be with someone forever, you have to live forever."

"She loved you," Elena rushed out trying to delay the man as he went to light the match. "She said that 'when it's real, you can't walk away'."

"Well, that's a choice you're not going to have to make," he snarled assuming Damon was Elena's boyfriend.

"Don't. Don't, please!" Brea begged.

"Please don't hurt him," Elena urged but the man lit the match anyway.

"I'm doing you both a favour," he stuttered.

"Lexi loved you. And she was good. And that means you're good, too," Elena surmised. "Be better than him. Don't do this. Please, I am begging you."

"Damon's a dick. Don't be a dick too," Brea stuttered through the alcohol haze.

"Please," Elena begged through gritted teeth. The man then picked Damon up and threw him into a wall opposite them as he decided not to kill him. "Thank you," Elena whispered.

"It wasn't for either of you," the man snarled before running off. Brea and Elena then ran to his side helping him up.

"Are you ok?" Brea asked looking him over as he blinked in shock before quickly standing and walking off, the girls looked at each other confused before following him. "Are you sure you're ok?" Brea asked confused by his behaviour.

"Yep," he said looking around. "Why don't you two wait in the car," he said unlocking it, "I'll be back," he said before storming into the bar.

"Can you get my bag?" Brea yelled after him and he threw a thumbs up at her. "Thank you!" Brea turned to Elena to see her staring after Damon in concern and Brea just shrugged her shoulders and got in the car, falling asleep almost instantly.

"So why did you bring us with you?" Elena asked Damon.

"Well, neither of you is the worst company in the world Elena," he answered. "You should give you and your sister more credit."

"Seriously?" Elena asked Damon disbelievingly.

"I am so fun," Brea laughed from the backseat. "I give myself plenty of credit," she smiled.

"You were both there on the road. All damsel in distress-like," he said as Brea made a wretching noise at that phrase. "I knew it would piss off Stefan and… the two of you are not the worst company in the world, Elena."

"I used to be more fun," she huffed.

"She did," Brea agreed from the back seat causing Elena to glare at her.

"You did ok," Damon smiled.

"We saved your life," Elena said with a giggle.

"I know."

"And don't you forget it," Elena smirked.

"I won't let you forget it," Brea teased, leaning forward to poke Damon in the arm.

"Show me the picture," Brea demanded as she and Elena stormed into Stefan's room.

"Hi," Elena said.

"Hi," Stefan said back.

"Am I invisible?" Brea asked.

"Hi, Brea," he said.

"Hi," she greeted back before whispering to Elena, "I thought we were going for the tough guy act."

"You could have told us," Elena snarled.

"I wanted to tell you both."

"You said no more lies. Only the truth. We can handle the truth, Stefan. As crazy as it is, we can handle the fact that you are a vampire. And you have a vampire brother…"

"He's actually quite fun," Brea interrupted.

"And that our best friend is a witch," Elena continued. "We can accept the fact that the world is a much more mysterious place than we ever thought possible. But this- this lie, I cannot take," she said pacing and Brea stepped back knowing she was ready to explode. "What am I to you? Who am I to you?"

"You are not Katherine."

"Duh," Brenna snapped at Stefan.

"You are the opposite of everything that she was."

"And when did you figure that out?" Elena demanded. "Before you kissed me? Before we slept together?"

"Ok, maybe I should leave," Brea said trying to run away but Elena snatched her arm stopping her from leaving.

"Before I met you," Stefan admitted.

"Huh?" Brea asked confused.

"What?" Elena asked just as confused.

"The first day of school. When I met you two. It wasn't for the first time."

"Then when was it?" Elena asked.

"May 23, 2009."

"What!" Brea gasped as Elena's face dropped.

"That was the day your parent's car went off the bridge," he confirmed.

"You were there?" Elena asked angrily.

"Every couple of years I come back here to see Zach and see my home. Last spring, I was out in the woods, by old Wickery Bridge. And I heard the accident. All of it," Elena and Brea were well and truly tearing up now and holding each other's hands. "I was fast getting there, but not fast enough. The car was already submerged. Your dad- he was still conscious. I was able to get to him, but he wouldn't let me help him until I helped you both," he said as the tears began spilling uncontrollably from Brea's eyes.

"Oh my god," Elena cried. "When we woke up in the hospital no one could figure out how we both got out of the car. They said it was a miracle."

"I went back for them. But it was too late. I couldn't… I couldn't save them. When I pulled the two of you out, I looked at your faces. You looked like Katherine and Brenna. I couldn't believe the resemblance. After that, I spent months making sure that you weren't them. I watched you both. I learned everything that I could about you. And I saw that you were nothing like Katherine and you…" he said freezing as he looked at Brea.

"I'm exactly like Brenna," Brea finished with a shaky voice.

"I wanted to leave town, Elena, but I couldn't. I couldn't leave without knowing you. I'm so sorry that I didn't tell you two. I wanted to, but you were both so sad."

"Why do we look like them?" Elena asked Stefan.

"Elena, Brenna, you've been through so much."

"Why do we look like them, Stefan? What are you not telling us?" Brea said stepping forward annoyed.

"It didn't make any sense to me. You're Gilbert's. They were Pierce's. But the resemblance was too much. And then I learned the truth. You were adopted."

"No," Brea hissed and Stefan stepped forward to comfort her. "No!" she yelled pushing him away and storming out of the room.

"You ok?" Damon asked as she ran passed him.

"Just peachy," she said pushing past him.

"Woah hang on a minute there," he said before being quiet for a minute.

"What!" she snapped.

"It was your birth certificate," he said.

"Huh?"

"They say Brenna and Elena Gilbert. Mystic Falls General. But there's no record of your mother ever being admitted. There's no record of her ever being pregnant. I'm listening," he said tapping his ear and pointing upstairs.

"What are you talking about?"

"Stefan's explaining how he knows to your sister. Thought you might want to know."

"Does he know anything else?" Brea asked crying openly again.

Damon shook his head. "He says for him to know more he'd have to look into the Pierce family, and that was too risky to do. Ugh no, it's getting mushy," Damon groaned in reference to Elena and Stefan's conversation.

"Damon, tell me the truth, please. Do you think that I'm her? The Brenna you knew, do you think we're one and the same?" Brea whispered

Damon hesitated, "yes, I think so," he said quietly. "Here," he said holding out a small portrait. "That's Brenna Pierce," he said as Brea's breath hitched in her throat as she looked at it.

"I... I..." she stuttered looking from the picture to him and back. Brea took a deep breath and straightened up. "Bye Damon," she said, handing him the picture back before racing out the front door and waiting for Elena in the car.

As Elena and Brea entered the house Jenna jumped out of her seat furious. "I don't set a lot of rules. Especially not for you two. I trust you two to tell me the truth."

"That's rich," Brea scoffed heading towards the stairs.

"Excuse me! Where were you? Why were you out drunk on a school night? Why did you lie to me about it? I thought that we were closer than that."

This made both Brea and Elena stop in their tracks and turn to Jenna. "Now is not the time you want to talk to us about lies," Elena snapped before walking to the stairs with Brea.

"Don't do that. Don't turn this back on me. I didn't do anything," Jenna defended.

"I can't do it, Lena," Brea said glaring at Jenna allowing her twin to explain their rage.

"Question- are we adopted?" Elena asked snarkily, as Jenna's face dropped in shock.

"We trust you to tell us the truth too Jenna," Brea hissed.

"How could you not tell us? I thought we were closer than that," Elena sassed before storming upstairs.

"Elena, Brea, I didn't- they asked me not to," Jenna tried to explain.

"We don't want to hear it," Brea yelled as she and Elena entered Brea's room, slamming the door behind them before collapsing on the same bed and crying.

Chapter Text

EDITED SEP22

"I'm bored."

"I don't care," Jeremy replied.

"I'll play a video game with you?" Brea offered.

"I'm busy Brea."

"But I'm bored!" Brea groaned.

"Oh well, don't care," Jeremy dismissed

"Jeremy pleaseeeee," Brea whined as she poked his arm.

"I'm drawing, go away," he said as the doorbell rang.

"Pizza!" Brea cheered excitedly. "So who's the girl you're drawing?" she asked, grabbing Jeremy's hand and dragging him to the door with her.

"Shut up," he laughed as he opened the door and as he did, Brea's smile instantly dropped as she found the pizza man very familiar.

"Hey. That's going to be $22," the delivery man said with a smile.

Jeremy and Brea looked at each other before yelling together up the stairs, "Elena we need the money!"

"Have you delivered pizza's here before?" Brea asked.

"Uh, here come in. Just put it on the table," Jeremy said to the guy.

"No, I haven't," the pizza guy answered her with a smirk as he stepped in the house.

"Hey," Elena said running down the stairs as Brea kept staring at the guy. "Um keep the change."

"Thanks and you have yourself a good night," he said backing out of the house as Elena closed the door.

"Seriously you two?" Elena sighed at Brea and Jeremy. "Why can't either of you pay for once?" Both siblings just shrugged before running away with their pizza.

Brea's phone buzzed with a text from Jeremy.

J - Our future uncle gave me an A on the essay!

B - Jer, that's awesome! He's in our good books, woohoo!

"I can't believe you're both adopted. I never saw that coming," Bonnie said in disbelief.

"And it gets weirder," Elena continued. "Our birth certificate lists Miranda and Grayson Gilbert as our birth parents."

"Even though they weren't, none of it makes any sense," Brea muttered.

"Which is why you should ask Jenna. First of all, the Gilbert twins I know would always want the real truth, good or bad." Bonnie suggested.

"And second of all?" Elena dismissed.

"You just found out that your boyfriend is a vampire Elena, so unless your birthparents are aliens… how bad could it be?" Bonnie said making the twins laugh.

"Knowing our luck they're probably werewolves or something crazy like that," Brea giggled.

"Ah, ok, look, we have to go to the store. Both of our outfits are severely lacking accessories," Elena said standing up.

"I thought mine was fine?" Brea asked and Elena just shook her head.

"Ok, I'll pay the bill," Bonnie said and the twins walked out.

Just as the twins were crossing the road to the car Jenna was loaning them Brea's phone rang. "Hello?"

"Speakerphone, now," a voice ordered.

"Why?" she asked.

"I want you both to hear this."

"Ok bossy, so rude," Brea snapped switching it to speaker mode making Elena give her a funny look.

"Hello, Elena, Brenna," the man said.

"Hey, who's this?" Elena said stopping and turning around.

"You two hit me with your car. Is that a new one?" At this Brea nearly dropped the phone in shock spinning around to try to find him before spotting a man walking and pointing him out to Elena. "You got away from me," he taunted as the girls rushed to get into the car. "You won't next time," he laughed as the girls drove off and Brea hung up.

"Why us, what does he want with us?" Brea groaned.

"If he's trying to kill us, then why call first?" Elena asked confused.

"That's because we're predators," Stefan explained. "We hunt, we stalk. It's often as exciting as the kill."

"Gross," Brea groaned.

"I want you both to have this," Stefan said handing Elena something.

"This is Jeremy's pocket watch," Elena said confused.

"What!" Brea said angrily snatching it from her sister. "Seriously Stefan, this means a lot to him, why would you steal it? You can't come into our house as a guest and take our stuff," she said fuming.

"I didn't," he quickly defended. "I took it from Damon, who took it from Logan, who must've taken it from Jeremy."

"Oh," Brea said handing it back to Elena. "Sorry," she muttered.

"What happened to it?" Elena asked looking at it, making Brea snatch it back.

"What did you do to his watch, Stefan!" Brea exclaimed as she saw it had been completely changed.

"It's not just a watch. It was modified, I'm guessing by Logan. It's a sort of compass. But it points to vampires."

Brea looked down at the watch and saw it pointing to Stefan. "Right, not you, sorry again," she mumbled embarrassed handing it back to Elena.

"Why did our father have it?" Elena asked.

"Gilbert's were one of the founding families, and back in 1864, they were among those who sought to eradicate the vampires. The compass was used to find us."

"Did you know them?" Elena asked uncomfortably.

"Yes," he nodded. "I want you two to keep this. That way, you'll know if you're ever in danger," Stefan said before kissing Elena,

"Ew, ew, ew. I'll meet you in the car," Brea said covering her eyes and running outside.

"Spoke to the insurance company," Jenna said as the girls walked in the door. "Car's totalled."

"I could've told you that Jenna," Brea laughed. "It rolled like 3 times. Oh right, yeah, I'm mad at you," she said in realisation turning back around.

"You can keep using mine for now," Jenna said trying to be helpful.

"So you're coming to the dance?" Elena asked making small talk.

"Alaric asked me to help chaperone."

"Why didn't you tell us, Jenna?" Elena asked spinning around angrily.

"Your mom was gonna do it eventually. I never thought I'd have to."

"If our mom were here right now and we asked, she'd tell us the truth," Brea said quietly with a small smile at Jenna.

"Your dad was about to leave the office one night when this girl showed up. She was 16, a runaway, and about to give birth. He delivered her babies, and he gave her a place to stay, but a few days later, she disappeared. And there you both were. Your parents were trying so hard to have a baby. It just wasn't happening. All Miranda ever wanted was to be a mom."

"Well, why were our parents' names on the birth certificates?" Elena questioned.

"Your dad was a doctor, Elena. He took care of it. They didn't want to lose either of you, so they kept it quiet, told as few people as possible, but if anyone ever wanted proof, they had documentation."

"What else do you know about her?" Brea asked curiously.

"The girl," Elena elaborated.

"Just her name, Isobel."

"You don't need to straighten your hair anymore Lena! Your hair is straight anyway, you're being ridiculous. Can we go already?" Brea asked following Elena into the bathroom.

"I'm not straightening it. I'm blowdrying it, be patient."

"I want to go take pictures of Jeremy working at the punch bowl for my scrapbook, you know before he gets kicked out for being a moody grouch."

"You're making a scrapbook of our brother?" Elena asked with raised eyebrows.

"Of his embarrassing moments, yeah," Brea shrugged.

"Can I see?" Elena smiled.

"When it's done, when it's done," Brea smirked, following Elena into her room again. "I like this scarf," she said pointing out an option for her sister. "Did you hear that?" Brea asked turning around as she heard a noise.

Elena left the room calling Jenna and Jeremy to see if they were in the house. "No one else is home, must've been the wind," Elena called out to her. Not a moment after, Brea heard the whirring noise again and looked around the room to see what it could be.

"Compass," Brea gasped, realising the noise was coming from the compass. "Elena!" she yelled and raced across the room to the bed where the compass was sitting. "What the hell, Elena my ring, it's... it's glowing," Brea gasped noticing it was glowing a bright purple. "Call Stefan now."

Elena quickly dialled on her cell as the twins ran down the stairs.

"Where is he?" Elena asked, clearly talking to Damon. "Oh thank god," she breathed in relief. "This compass was spinning. Stefan must be here. Thank you." Elena sighed before hanging up. "Nothing to worry ab…" she said stopping as she noticed a man on the ceiling above Brea. "Brea watch out!" she screamed as the man dropped down from his spot and grabbed Brea and tried to bite her. Brea yelled out in fright and quickly flung her hand back so her ring hit the intruder's face, making him hiss as his face burned from the vervain on the ring. Brea took his moment of distraction to fling herself backwards out of his grasp as quickly as she could, and she fell to the side.

The man then turned on Elena and tried to attack her, but Stefan arrived screaming "Elena!" and threw the man away from her. "Are you ok?" he asked picking her up off the floor.

Brea, still on the floor, shoved her hand into her pocket, pulled out her phone and dialled Damon's number. "Hello, two Gilbert calls in two minutes. Must be my lucky day."

"The man we hit with the car, he just attacked us," she stuttered.

"Where are you?" he asked seriously.

"At home."

"I'm coming," he said hanging up. As Brea went to put the phone back in her pocket she noticed her ring's colour starting to fade back to normal. Not long after Damon came racing through the door before coming to a stop next to Brea. "Why are you on the floor?" he asked her.

"He pushed me," she scowled.

"Are you hurt?" Damon asked with wide eyes, gently pulling her off the floor.

"He bruised my elbow, duh," she scoffed.

"Hilarious," Damon said, rolling his eyes and walking away. "How'd he get in?" Damon asked everyone.

"He was invited in," Elena explained.

"He posed as a pizza delivery guy last night," Stefan explained.

"I don't know why Jer felt the need to invite the pizza guy in," Brea muttered as she took a seat. "He can't be that desperate for friends."

"Hush. Well, this vamp gets points for that," Damon said impressed. "Did he say what he wanted?"

"No. He was too busy trying to kill us," Elena scoffed in disbelief.

"I think what he wants is to kill us, Damon," Brea answered. "Kind of easy to infer."

"And you have no idea who this is?" Stefan asked Damon.

"No. Don't look at me like that. I told you we had company."

"I do, I think I know him," Brea spoke up and everyone looked at her. "I don't know how, this is going to sound completely crazy... but I think his name is Noah."

"And you have no idea how you know his name?" Damon asked.

"None. I just have a feeling."

"Do you think there's more than one?" Elena asked.

"We don't know," Damon said.

"Damon, he was invited in," Stefan said seriously.

"Then we go get him tonight. You two up for it?" Damon asked.

"What do we have to do?" Elena asked as Brea nodded.

"Let Stefan take you to the dance. I'll go with Brea," Damon suggested.

"No can do. I'm going with Tyler," Brea explained.

"I don't see him," Damon said looking around with a smirk.

"I'm meeting him there."

"Great, I'll take you there and we'll see who shows up to kill you two hmm?"

"That's a bad idea," Stefan disagreed.

"Till we get him, this house isn't safe. For anyone who lives in it," he said seriously, suggesting that Jenna and Jeremy would be in danger here as well. "It's worth a shot."

"We'll do it," Brea agreed.

"We'll be with the two of you. We'll both be safe," Elena reassured Stefan. "Stefan, do you know anything about Brea's ring? It was glowing right before he attacked us and it's glowed before. I noticed it glowing when Vicki was attacking us, and I saw it glowing before the car crashed.

"Glowing?" Stefan asked confused with furrowed brows. "We'll figure it out later. I think it's more important we figure out tonight first," he said as everyone nodded.

"There you are…" Tyler said trailing off as he saw Brea, Elena, Stefan and Damon get out of the same car. "Brought quite the entourage huh?" he asked with a laugh.

"I'm her date," Damon said throwing his arm around Brea's shoulder.

"Get off," Brea laughed, removing his arm. "He's not, so don't think you're getting out of this Lockwood. Bye Damon," she said before grabbing Tyler's arm and walking off.

"Why'd you come with Salvatore?" Tyler asked her.

"Urgh, he wanted to come. Wouldn't leave me alone. Said he'd be my date since I didn't have one."

"Did you tell him we were going together," Tyler laughed.

"She did," Damon spoke from behind them as he could up and took Brea's hand. "But I didn't see a date knocking on the door."

"Knock it off, stop causing trouble," Brea bumped Damon's side. "Why did you follow, Damon?"

"Well, I can't really protect you from this vampire guy if I can't be near you now can I?" Damon whispered in her ear and she rolled her eyes. "Not to worry kid," Damon said slapping Tyler's shoulder, "just need to make sure I don't get kicked out at the door, and for that, I need a high schooler date," he said winking at Brea.

"You're insufferable. Fine, but just to the door Damon. Ty promised me a full night of fun to make up for some recent poor judgment," Brea said taking Damon's arm as Tyler sulked behind them.

"Ok Damon, we snuck you in," Brea said as they walked through the doors. "Now go find Stefan and Elena, just keep an eye out," she said under her breath knowing he could hear her.

"So wanna dance?" Tyler asked and Brea gave him a look. "Sorry, would you like to dance with me, my lady?"

"Much better, and yes I would love to dance with you Mr Lockwood, thank you for asking," Brea said dragging him onto the dance floor. "Hey Carebear," Brea said as they passed Caroline. "Having fun?"

"No."

"Ok, wasn't expecting that," Brea groaned. "Hold up," she said to Tyler and turned back around to Caroline. "What's up?"

"This," Caroline said gesturing to her outfit, "took 2 hours, so I'm staying at least half that. Damon's here and he probably brought some tramp as his date."

"I came with Damon..." Brea said with a frown.

"What!" Caroline exclaimed in anger.

"Umm, Ty?" Brea said, tugging his arm.

"We should probably go, we haven't said hi to many people," he said quickly.

"Yep, see ya, Caroline," Brea waved as the pair ran away.

"That was awkward," Tyler ranted.

"Yeah, if we let her go further into her rant, we'd be here another 2 hours," Brea said as the pair laughed and danced. "Hey Ty, do me a favour and dance us towards the punch bowl," Brea said spotting Jeremy.

"Why?"

"I need a photo of Jeremy working. It's for a secret project."

"Ok," Tyler agreed confused but danced the pair towards the punch bowl.

As they got close enough Brea took out her phone and took a picture of Jeremy handing someone a cup of punch. As Brea took the picture Jeremy spotted her and his face dropped as he realised what she was doing. "Abort Ty! Abort!"

"What?" he asked confused.

"Spin us away, fast." Tyler shrugged his shoulder and lead the pair to the other side of the room. After a while, Brea's phone buzzed with a text.

J - 1. You are in trouble for taking a picture of me. 2. Why are girls so weird?

B - 1. Gotcha sucker! 2. Is this the girl you were drawing? I'm interested, tell me about it tonight

"How much longer till I'm back in your good books Brea?" Tyler asked.

"Depends."

"Depends on what?"

"On how much you're willing to do to prove your undying loyalty to me," she joked and Tyler's eyes widened and he chose to stay quiet.

"Hey, Brea, umm you're ring is kinda glowing," Tyler said confused pointing to her hand as they stopped for a drink.

"Why does it keep doing that?" Brea groaned confused while she tapped her ring, trying to see if it had an off button.

"Brea!" Elena yelled running up to her.

"Hey Elena," Tyler said.

"Brea," she said out of breath. "We have to go find Damon, now!"

"Sorry Elena, she can't, she's stuck with me tonight," Tyler said putting an arm around Brea as she laughed.

"Brea, it's happening" Elena pleaded and Brea's eyes widened as she realised the strange vampire must be here.

"Maybe it means I'm in danger?" Brea asked showing her ring to Elena who shrugged. "Tyler I have to go. You can go home I forgive you. Bye," Brea said sprinting away from him with Elena hot on her heels. "Where is Damon!" she groaned looking around the packed gym. As the girls weaved through the crowd, Brea's phone rang. "Hello?" she answered not looking at the caller ID.

"Hello, Brenna."

"Noah?" she guessed.

"How do you know my name?" he growled.

"You're being dumb Noah, you know the rules," she said, the words flying out of her mouth even though she didn't know what they meant. Brea squeezed Elena's hand grabbing her twin's attention.

"She's not here to protect you anymore. Here's what you're going to do. There's an exit door behind you two girls. You have 5 seconds."

"No," Brea snapped. "Not going to happen. If you hurt me, they'll come for you."

"Who? The Salvatores?" he scoffed.

"Among others," Brea replied nervously.

"Go to the exit now or your brother dies." Brea spun around like lightning to see Noah standing near Jeremy, she quickly pointed out the situation to Elena whose eyes widened. "I can snap his neck so fast I bet there's not even a witness. Now start walking."

"Don't you dare lay a finger on my brother," Brea said backing up towards the door.

"Keep walking. Through the door," he encouraged as the girls stepped further back before Brea hung up and ran pulling Elena with her.

"What are we doing?" Elena yelled.

"I don't know Elena, just delay him until the guys get here to help, just run for now!" Brea yelled as they ran through the corridors. The girls tried to push through some doors but found them to be chained shut. They spun around to see Noah advancing on them and ran through some other doors into the cafeteria. In the cafeteria, they tried some more doors but they were also chained shut. As they spun around Noah barged through the doors and then zipped in front of them. The girls then tried to split and run in different directions but he grabbed them both by the hair as they screamed in pain and threw them, one by one, over a table. He then growled and flipped the table over as he advanced on the girls while they attempted to crawl away.

Noah grabbed Brea aggressively, throwing her up against the wall and transforming his face into that of a vampire before lunging for her neck. Before he could bite her, Elena stabbed his side with a pencil she picked up off the floor making him release his grip on Brea. Elena then stabbed him in the hand with another pencil as he reached out toward her. Elena charged at him stabbing him in the chest with a third pencil before grabbing Brea's hand and running backwards, backing into a mop. Brea ripped the mop out of the bucket and threw it to her sister who caught it and snapped it over her knee before thrusting it at his chest, but Noah caught it and threw Elena to the ground with a smirk. He then grabbed Brea causing both girls to scream. He had just bit into her neck when Stefan ripped him off of her, throwing him across the room. Elena immediately ran to Brea and clung to her, pressing a hand to her neck to try to stop the bleeding.

"Hey, dickhead!" Damon called. "Nobody wants to kill you. We just wanna talk." Noah then set his sights on the huddled-up girls and made one last effort to charge at them. Damon threw the stake Elena made out of the mop across the room to Stefan, who intercepted Noah and stabbed him in the chest with it, crippling him.

"Now you feel like talking?" Stefan asked circling him.

"Screw you," Noah muttered as Stefan punched the stake further into his chest.

"Wrong answer, why are you doing this?"

"Because it's fun," Noah groaned, Stefan then pushed the stake further into his chest.

"What do you want with Elena and Brenna?"

"She looks like Katherine," he said gesturing to Elena. "And she is Brenna," he said with a smirk. "I don't know how it's possible, but it's her."

"You knew Katherine?" Damon asked.

"Oh. You thought you were the only ones?" he scoffed. "You don't even remember me."

"Tell me how to get into the tomb. Hmm?" Damon demanded.

"No?" Stefan asked when Noah refused to talk. He gave him one last moment to say something before he shrugged and stabbed the stake even further into his chest. "The grimoire."

"Where is it?" Damon hissed.

Noah refused to answer so Stefan pushed the stake right to the edge of his heart. "Check the journal. The journal. Use Jonathan's journal. Jonathan Gilbert's," Noah said quickly in desperation.

"Who else is working with you?" Stefan asked.

"Who else is there?" Damon yelled.

"No. You're gonna have to kill me." Stefan then removed the stake before plunging it into his heart.

"What do we- how are you gonna find the others now?" Elena asked gasping in shock.

"He had to die," Damon said while walking over to Brea and moving Elena's hand away so he could get a good look at her neck.

"But…" Elena protested as she stood up and walked over to Stefan.

"Elena, he's been invited in," Stefan confirmed. The group then heard a clunk noise from outside the cafeteria and noticed someone walking past the doors. "Go. I got this," Stefan said. "Take Brea, she's uh…" Stefan said gesturing to her bleeding neck.

Damon nodded and put his arm around Brea, picking her up and running her out of the cafeteria. As Damon and Brea rounded the corner Damon saw Mr Saltzman walking, Damon leaned Brea against the lockers before zipping in front of her teacher. "Hey," Mr Saltzman said in confusion.

"What were you doing?" Damon asked.

"Looking for Ms Hilden," Mr Saltzman answered under compulsion.

"Why are you in Mystic Falls?"

"I got a job as a teacher."

"Do you know what I am?"

"You're my student's brother."

"Is everything you're telling me the truth?"

"Yes."

"Leave him alone," Brea hissed sliding down the lockers a bit.

"Then forget we had this conversation," Damon said before picking Brea back up and running off.

"Put a towel on that," Damon said inspecting her bite after gently lowering her onto the couch. "Do you want my blood?" he offered, and Brenna shook her head. "It doesn't look like he bit too deep so it should heal up alright. Just get some rest and pop a bandage on it," he instructed with a smile.

"Thank you," Brea smiled. "For helping me, and for helping protect us, I know you didn't have to do that."

"You're my friend," he said brushing her hair out of her face. "Of course, I'd help you. I have to go," he said sadly. "I have a vampire body to help my brother dispose of. Elena should be home soon," he said before walking out of her house, leaving her alone.

"You'll never guess who just asked me on a date!" Jenna sang as she walked through the door. "OH MY GOD," she screamed. "Brea. What happened?" she asked running at her and seeing the bloodstains on her body and clothes. "What happened to your neck!" she gasped as she pulled the bandage aside slightly to see the wound underneath.

"Tyler bit me."

"Brenna I am serious," she said putting pressure on her niece's neck. "I mean it does look like a bite mark. But come on, no one would bite you on the neck. You would've killed them if they tried," she smiled, trying to make a joke.

"They did die," Brea shrugged.

"Come on, Brea, seriously. Tell me what happened."

"It's hard to explain."

"Try me."

"I tripped. In the parking lot and skidded on my… neck," Brea poorly made up. "No one saw thank god. It was seriously embarrassing."

"Oh sweetie, I'm sorry," Jenna said as she put the bandage back down on her neck.

"Thanks, so Mr Saltzman asked you on a date huh?" Brea asked as Jenna handed her some water and painkillers.

"Yes, he did! Friday night. You can help me get ready," she said with a giggle before going serious. "But for now, bed! Move it. That wound is going to need a lot of rest to heal up properly," Jenna said ushering Brea towards the stairs.

Chapter Text

EDITED SEP22

"JENNA!" Brea yelled down the stairs to her aunt. "Jeremy stole one of my shoes."

"She stole my toothbrush," Jeremy yelled down from the other side of the stairs.

Jenna groaned before looking up to stare at them disapprovingly from the bottom of the stairs. "God I wish, Elena was here. You're both too scared of her to do this when she's around. You, drop the toothbrush and, you, drop the shoe. On the count of three. One, two, three," both Jeremy and Brea dropped each other's stuff and dived on them, smacking heads on the way down.

"OW!" They both exclaimed as they stood up rubbing their heads.

"You idiot!" Brea scowled.

"Me? You attacked me!" Jeremy protested.

"Attacked? I'll show you attacked," she threatened.

"Don't show him attacked," Jenna sighed from the stairs. "You!" she pointed at Jeremy, "go to your room. And you," she pointed to Brea, "your room. Go!"

Brea looked up at Jeremy. "Did we just get sent to our rooms?"

"It's your fault," he grumbled.

1864

" How long do you two plan on staying with the Salvatores?" Pearl asked as they walked on the grass. "People talk, Katherine."

" With good reason," Brenna agreed.

" You, carrying on with both brothers, doesn't help the situation," Pearl lectured

" The Salvatores have been kind to take us in. As far as everyone here knows, we're just two poor orphan girls from Atlanta who lost our family in the fires, or at least one of us did," Katherine said with a side glance at a stiff Brenna.

" A match you lit, no doubt," Pearl all but accused.

" No Pearl, I wouldn't do that to Brenna," Katherine said seriously, she knew how seriously Brenna cares for each of her families.

" Honey please be careful," Pearl called out as Katherine and Brenna turned around to see Annabelle patting a horse. "Honoria Fell came by the apothecary yesterday, with a case of this elixir. She asked that it be sold at a reduced rate."

" I don't follow," Katherine sighed, failing to see why this should concern her.

" Try it," Pearl said handing it to Brenna.

Brenna tipped the vile onto her palm allowing a little of the liquid to hit her hand before handing it to Katherine. "I'm confused Pearl, what is it?" she asked as Katherine hissed in pain.

" What in hell?" she growled as Brenna grabbed her sister's hand confused.

" Vervain," Pearl confirmed.

" Why is there… they know. You should keep this," Katherine said handing the vial to Brenna. "I don't trust some of the others," she explained quickly.

" They're trying to find us and they're getting crafty about it."

" The townspeople ingesting vervain. Well, that's inconvenient," Katherine growled.

" It might be time for us to move on again," Pearl suggested.

" No," Katherine immediately refused, "I like it here. I'm not interested in leaving just yet."

" Can we go, mamma?" Annabelle asked running towards the three women. "Is something wrong?" she asked as she sensed the tense atmosphere.

"Dude why are you asleep?" Jeremy called from the doorway pulling Brea out of her memory.

"I'm not asleep. I'm just resting my eyes," she groaned, sitting up groggily.

"Urgh, you sound like dad. Wanna play a video game?" he asked.

"Why not," Brea shrugged, following Jeremy downstairs. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Jeremy laughed before reaching out and giving Brea's shoulder a shove. "Hey! What was that for?" she moaned as she stumbled.

"For fun," he teased as he ran towards the kitchen. As he entered the kitchen he abruptly stopped. "Play it cool," he whispered. "What are you guys doing?" Jeremy asked Elena and Stefan walking into the kitchen trying to act casual. He had no idea Stefan was a vampire and knew exactly how childish they'd been behaving.

"Hey. Just going through some stuff, feeling sentimental. Dad had this old family journal from years ago. I thought I'd dig it up. What are you two up to?" Elena asked.

"Nothing suspicious," Brea said quickly, "Is that Jonathan Gilbert's journal?" she asked, trying to change the subject before Elena got the chance to question her.

"Yeah, what do you guys know about it?" Elena asked the pair.

"I just did a history report on it," Jeremy answered.

"Oh. So where is it now?" Elena asked him.

"I gave it to Mr Saltzman. He wanted to see it."

"We're trying to butter up our future uncle, dude's a history buff. So we gifted him a journal. I think he's taking the bait. We are on our way to getting a kitten," Brea explained.

"Dude, no. We've been over this. We're getting a puppy. Anyway, Jenna needs our help in that department, she picks bad guys, that's why Brea and I are here to deliver only top-quality men to our hot-to-trot aunt" Jeremy joked as he held his hand up for a high five from Brea, who quickly obliged. Before anyone could say anything else, Stefan excused himself and ran out.

"Maybe he's jealous he wasn't considered in the running to be Jenna's new boyfriend? Level up from Elena," Brea suggested.

After a while of playing video games with Jeremy, the doorbell rang. "Jenna!" Brea called.

"You get it," Jenna scoffed from right behind them and both Jeremy and Brea jumped in fright.

"Wow, didn't know you were there Aunt Jenna," Jeremy said as Brea paused the game, got up and went to the door.

"You," Brea said in surprise when she saw Damon at the door.

"You," he said wiggling his eyebrows.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Meeting with Stefan and Elena, duh," he answered, entering the house.

"Why?" Brea asked confused causing him to stop and turn around.

"You don't know," he guessed.

"Know what?"

"Brea! Hurry up! I'll start without you," Jeremy yelled.

"Got to go," Brea panicked as she ran away from Damon and threw herself down on the couch.

"My turn," Damon snatched the remote out of Brea's hand.

"Do you even know how to play?" Brea sassed.

"Well I've never played before, but I'm sure I can pick it up. I'm good like that," he smirked.

"God you're a loser," Brea sighed, making him frown as Jeremy laughed.

Damon immediately clicked a few buttons and outscored Jeremy.

"I thought you'd never played this before. It took me months to teach Brea," Jeremy said.

"I'm a fast learner," Damon winked at Brea. "Quick reflexes."

Jeremy's phone then rang and he quickly pulled out his phone to check it, before shrugging and throwing it down.

"Oh my god was that her?" Brea asked eagerly, leaning around Damon. "Tell me that was her!"

"Who are you dodging?" Damon asked.

"This girl Anna," Jeremy sighed. "She can be... persistent."

"Is she hot?" Damon asked, and Brea slapped his arm.

"Well is she?" Brea asked.

"Yeah," Jeremy nodded. "But she can be weird."

"Hot trumps weird. Trust me. Right Brenna?" Damon asked.

Brea frowned, not wanting to reply. "I feel like you're playing an angle on this and it'll end up an insult so I'm not saying anything."

"Good idea," Damon smiled.

The doorbell then rang. "That's Stefan," Elena said from the kitchen and Damon jumped up, throwing the remote to Brea before running to the door.

"Dude," Jeremy called out after him.

"I'm back in! Hang on, did you just call Damon dude?" Brea gasped.

"Shut up," Jeremy muttered bashfully.

"So…" Damon said barging back into the room closely followed by Elena and Stefan. "I heard you found a really cool journal from back in the day. Who else did you show it to?" Damon asked.

"You're blocking the screen!" Brea complained as her character in the game died as the three people hovered over her and her brother.

"Huh?" Jeremy asked, leaning around them to try and keep playing.

"Don't ask questions, just spill," Damon tried to keep his attention.

"You're kidding me, right?" he snickered.

"Jer, did you tell anyone other than Mr Saltzman about Jonathan Gilbert's journal?" Elena asked.

"Why is everybody so obsessed with that thing?"

"Who else did you tell?" Elena pushed.

"Just that girl Anna."

"The hot weird one?" Damon asked.

"Yeah."

"What, who's Anna?" Stefan asked.

"That's what I want to find out," Damon responded. "How do you know her?"

"I just know her. She wants me to meet her at the Grill tonight."

"Perfect. I'll drive, come on," Damon said.

"Do I get to meet her?" Brea asked shaking her brother's arm.

"Not if you're going to be embarrassing" Jeremy groaned getting up to follow Damon, Brea not far behind.

"When am I ever embarrassing?" she asked as they got in the car.

"All the time you psychopath," Jeremy replied with a smirk as she smacked the back of his head.

"You stay with me," Damon instructed Brea as the three entered the Grill.

"But I want to meet her," Brea whined as Damon led her away.

"You'll meet her some other time, tonight is about getting that journal back," he lectured.

"Who cares about a stupid journal, it's old and useless. Just like you," she smiled proudly. "Oh, there she is," Brea squeaked and tapped Damon's arm when she saw Jeremy meet a girl. The girl then turned around just enough so that Brea could see her face and Brea's eyes widened. "Annabelle," she whispered.

" Katherine, we're meant to be being discreet for multiple reasons," Brenna hissed, "turning two men in a town already suspicious of vampires will draw attention, attention that we do not need."

" Katherine, please. Be careful," Pearl warned.

" We'll all be safe, I promise. Mr Gilbert's coming," Katherine said excitedly for Pearl. "Quick, your cheeks," Katherine giggled as she pinched, "perfectly rosy," she approved before Pearl turned around to greet Jonathan Gilbert.

" Miss Pearl," Jonathan Gilbert greeted. "May I have a moment?"

" Yes, Mr Gilbert. I'm still waiting for you to explain that comet in the sky," she said as the pair left the apothecary store.

" Well would you look at that Annabelle," Brenna said, turning to the young girl with a smile.

" Your mother has an admirer," Katherine finished smiling as Annabelle and Emily giggled together.

"Damon, that's…" Brea stuttered.

"I know," he replied in shock. "Come on," he said taking Brea's hand and getting up, quickly exiting the Grill.

"Damon in case you're forgetting, I'm human and this is dangerous, this is breaking and entering. We could get arrested, we could go to jail Damon! I don't want a record, it will follow me wherever I go. Plus we could be walking into a den of vampires where they're all waiting to just jump out and kill me," Brea groaned as he broke into the motel Anna was staying in. "How did you find this place anyway?"

"I followed her scent. I'll protect you don't worry. Besides, vampires don't live in dens."

"Damon she was turned a good 4 centuries before you, she's stronger," Brea protested.

"And how do you know that hmm?" he asked getting in her face.

"I don't know," she stuttered.

"Yes, you do Brenna. That's why you're helping me."

"I don't call you dragging me here helping you."

"Well, you didn't run away. So you're in. Besides, I heard Elena telling Stefan about your dreams, I know you're having more and more memories flood back in your dreams."

"She told Stefan?" Brea asked quietly and Damon nodded. "I thought that was private," Brea muttered before Damon hushed her and pushed Brea behind him, quickly backing into a corner. As soon as Anna opened the door Damon attacked her, slamming her against the wall. She immediately went on the defence and lashed out and grabbed a hold of his neck in retaliation. After a moment of struggling with each other Damon groaned out, "ok I give, ok, damn," and they both released their choke holds on each other. "You're strong for a little thing," he teased.

"Told you so," Brea piped up, coming to stand next to Damon.

"I was wondering how long it would take you to find me."

"How long have you been here?" Damon asked

"Noah was with you, wasn't he?" Brea asked.

"Yeah, sorry about that," Anna said remorsefully.

"See," Brea nudged Damon. "I was right about the den thing."

"Two vampires don't make a den," he scoffed before looking back at Anna.

"I arrived around about half-past comet," she continued. "Watching you screw up every chance you had to open that tomb. I also heard all those really cool theories you suggested to Stefan about Brenna here. You really have no clue do you?"

"Wait, theories?" Brea asked looking at Damon. "You people have got to stop gossiping about me! Hang on," she said turning to look back at Anna. "You know who I am?"

"We were friends in 1864, duh, you told me all about your little curse."

"Curse?! I'm cursed?"

"You'll find out in good time," Anna shrugged, ending the conversation.

"How'd you know about the spell?" Damon asked.

"I didn't say much back then, which means I heard everything."

"So if you've been here the whole time, then why are we just crossing paths now?" he asked.

"I like to use others to do my dirty work," Anna shrugged, pushing past Damon.

"Like Logan Fell?" he realised. "Oh, yeah, thanks for that, by the way. Little bastard shot me."

"You turned Scumfell?" Brea asked angrily. "Why would anyone want to immortalise him?"

"Logan was an idiot," Anna sighed. "We slipped him some blood when he started getting all poser slayer with that compass. I needed his family's journal. I couldn't let him die."

"What'd you want with the Fell journal?" Brea asked curiously.

"I thought it contained the location of the witch's spell book. I was wrong. According to her journal, Honoria gave the grimoire to Jonathan Gilbert. And, according to this…" she said holding up the Gilbert journal. "He gave it to your father. So now you're going to help me find it."

"Why would I help you?" Damon smirked,

"Damon," Brea whispered. "She wants to help."

"You and I both want that tomb open," Annabelle agreed, handing Damon the Gilbert journal.

"Sorry, I work alone," Damon dismissed, grabbing Brea's hand and walking out of the motel room.

"Am I missing something? Are you guys working on something with the tomb?"

"Honestly the less you know the better," Damon sighed. "Come on, I'm dropping you home."

Brea walked into Elena's room that night. She was not happy. "Ok, so I feel like people have been leaving me out of the loop today and I'd really love to be filled in. What the hell!" Brea gasped as she found Anna standing over Elena's unconscious body.

"I was really hoping you'd stay out there," Anna smiled before stabbing Brea's arm with a needle causing her to pass out in Anna's arms.

Brea woke up to Elena shaking her. "Wha…" she groaned but Elena slapped a hand over her mouth and pointed to a man sleeping in a chair in the corner of the motel room. Brea's eyes widened and she nodded at Elena who slowly removed her hand. Elena grabbed onto Brea's hand and the girls moved as quietly as they could towards the front door. Elena reached up to the chain lock on the door and slowly started to slide it across as both girls frantically kept looking back to check that the man was still asleep.

As soon as Elena had slid the lock all the way across a voice spoke from behind them, "I wouldn't," he warned and Brea and Elena spun around with a gasp. "Don't try to escape. Don't even move. Do you understand?" Ben tried compelling Elena.

"I understand," Elena lied.

"Now I'm not allowed to touch you," Ben smirked at Brea. "But don't do anything stupid. Because I can hurt your sister," he warned. Ben then walked back to his seat, the sisters met each other's eyes, nodded and spun around to run out the door. As Elena opened the door, Anna was on the other side and threw Elena back in the room.

"Seriously?" Anna snapped at Ben.

"I told her not to move. I did that eye thing you taught me," he defended.

"You forgot the lesson about vervain. She dates a vampire Ben, duh," Anna admonished.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Elena snapped.

"Does it matter?" Anna asked before throwing Elena into the bathroom.

"Leave her alone," Brea snapped.

"Seriously Brenna. Do not push me," Anna said dragging Brea to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Ben, the tap's on in there," Anna said to Ben as Brea sat angrily, arms crossed on the bed.

"So?" Ben asked.

"So we can't hear them, Ben! Bring Elena out here," Anna snapped. Ben's eyes widened and he ran into the bathroom.

"Do not hurt my sister Annabelle I am warning you," Brea threatened

"Or what?" Anna challenged. "I mean Katherine's not here to defend you anymore. I don't have to follow that whole, 'don't touch Brenna' rule. But we were friends, so I'm not going to hurt you. Can't say the same for your sister though," Anna said as Ben threw Elena out of the bathroom. "Well, well. Elena Gilbert. You really are Katherine's doppelganger. You must have the Salvatore boys reeling," she teased.

"Who are you?" Elena asked.

"I'm Anna. Your brother may have mentioned me. I mean we're like practically dating," Anna said with a smirk.

"He's right. You are weird," Brea taunted.

"Bonnie's not gonna open the tomb," Elena told Anna.

"Are we opening the tomb?" Brea asked confused.

"They really left you out of everything," Anna smirked. "I think she will."

"Bonnie's here?" Brea asked as Elena nodded.

"Do you really want Katherine out that bad?" Elena asked.

"Trust me. No one I know wants to see that girl again, except Brenna and Damon. Love struck-idiot," Anna rolled her eyes as Brea frowned in confusion. Yep, she was definitely out of the loop.

"Then what is it? Or who is it?" Elena asked.

"My mother's in there," Anna admitted.

"Pearl," Brea whispered to herself.

"Katherine couldn't help herself. She just had to toy around with both of the Salvatore brothers despite everyone's protest. And when she got caught, so did my mother. I watched Jonathan Gilbert take her away."

"I'm sorry," Elena said thinking of her and Brea's mom.

"You really mean that, don't you?" Anna asked and Elena nodded. "Yeah, I think we'll skip the dead mom bonding, so you can start serving a purpose."

"Which is what?" Elena asked.

"Leverage." Anna grabbed a phone from the desk. "This belongs to you?" she asked as Elena reached out for her phone. "Ah-ah," Anna chastised as she began dialling and had a conversation with no doubt, Stefan, on Elena's phone instructing him where to meet her to discuss getting Elena and Brea back. Anna ended the call and smirked at the two girls and only a moment later, Brea's phone started ringing. "Oh for god's sake," Anna laughed as she looked at the caller ID. "Damon's calling you, it's seriously like 1864 all over again," Anna groaned before answering it. After a while, she hung up. "Change of plans, Brea, you're coming with me to meet Damon," Anna said to Brea, making her stand up from her seat on the bed. Anna then walked over to the bathroom door and banged on it. "I'm leaving, come out," she yelled and Ben walked out of the bathroom holding on to Bonnie.

"Hey Bon," Brea greeted with a small wave which Bonnie returned unenthusiastically.

"Keep them buttoned down. Compulsion won't work. Just use violence," Anna instructed.

"Right. I got that," Ben smiled.

Anna then grabbed Brea's arm and pulled her to the door.

"Why does Damon want me back and not Elena and Bonnie?" Brea asked as she walked with Anna through the town square.

"Oh come on Brenna. You two were good friends, if he wasn't chasing after Katherine he was running around after you," Anna scoffed.

"Anna!" Jeremy called out from the Grill. "Hey, what happened to you last night?" Jeremy asked, running up to Anna and Brea. "Hey Brea, why are you with Anna?"

"Anna kidnapped me," Brea answered.

Jeremy laughed, "I swear Brea, sometimes you're actually funny."

"Sorry, I had to leave," Anna said to Jeremy. "I told your sister to tell you."

Jeremy then gave Brea an annoyed look. "No, she didn't, she kidnapped us both."

"Elena then? I- uh, haven't seen her," Jeremy said to Anna.

"We gotta run, so..." Anna said looking around.

"Do you wanna go to a party tonight?" Jeremy asked her.

"Yeah, I'd love to, let's do it, bro," Brea nodded.

"Shut up Brea, Anna?" Jeremy asked, dismissing his sister.

"Do I what?" Anna asked.

"The guy that's throwing it, is a total douche…"

"Oh, Duke's throwing a party?" Brea asked, knowing immediately who he was talking about.

"Yeah, but it's, uh, it's supposed to be fun. I figured, you know, safety in numbers," Jeremy joked ignoring Brea.

"So you're finally ready to go out with me, are you?" Anna asked.

"Well, it's been a while since I've been to a party and I kind of want to get back out there. And not be such a loner. And, uh, I like you."

"This is getting awkward," Brea said shifting uncomfortably. "I'm gonna wait over there," Brea said walking a few feet away to sit on the park bench, taking notice of Anna's intense stare as she made sure Brea didn't get away. After a little while, Anna joined her on the bench. "Please don't hurt my brother," Brea asked.

"Would it make a difference if I said I actually kind of like him?" Anna asked.

"Not even if you meant it," Brea said crossing her arms.

"Got a hot date, or are you just planning on nabbing the entire Gilbert family?" Damon asked as he sat down next to Anna, Brea let out a yelp, having not seen him approach them.

"A party, right next to the old cemetery. Isn't that nice of them? Lots of warm bodies for starving vampires."

"Leave them alone," Brea growled.

"I told you. I work alone," Damon hissed.

"You work with Brea."

"I don't really. She's just my ride-along entertainment," he smirked.

"This feels demeaning," Brea muttered.

Anna huffed before saying, "I usually work alone too. But you're minus a witch and I'm minus a spellbook. So what do you say?"

"Stefan will come after you, you know that. For messing with Elena and Brea," Damon told her.

"Then he won't be too happy if I kill Elena when I don't get what I want," Anna said getting up and walking away leaving Brea with Damon.

"No, don't, do not do that!" Brea yelled after her. "Please! Please! Damon," she begged.

Damon grimaced and then called out, "when do you want to do this?"

"God, it's like 1864 all over again," Anna laughed as she turned back around."You Salvatores are truly pathetic when it comes to women. Fawning all over Katherine and Elena and the both of you doing whatever Brenna asks when she bats her eyelashes at you."

"No one's being nice to me today," Brea muttered crossing her arms in irritation.

"Tonight. After sundown. Meet at the church," Anna said walking off.

Brea stared after her. "Did she forget to take me?" she asked confused.

"I said I wouldn't even show up here if she didn't give me you. Here," Damon said handing Brea her phone. "Grabbed it off her, thought you'd want it back."

"Thank you," Brea said looking at him curiously before taking her phone.

Brea was sitting on a couch in the Salvatore Boarding House, flipping through one of Damon's books when Damon spoke up, "I'm gonna have to change the locks."

"What do you mean?" Brea asked turning around only to lock eyes with her sister. "You got out! I swear I was going to come to get you later."

"Did you stage a jailbreak?" Damon asked.

"Stefan," Elena answered in explanation.

"Uh, brother. Ever the white knight," Damon mocked.

Brea looked between Elena and Damon and began to feel very awkward at their tension, "I'm just gonna wait outside," Brea said, awkwardly leaving the room and walking out of the house. "Stefan hey," she greeted when she saw him leaning on the verandah.

"Hey Brenna," he smiled. "Elena and Bonnie said Anna took you. How did you get away?" he asked.

"Damon, he called her. Said he wouldn't meet her unless she gave me back. I don't know why but he got me out I guess."

Stefan looked at her carefully before he began, "Brenna, I…"

"I'm so confused, Stefan," she cut him off. "No one is telling me anything. I don't know who or what I am. I have these dreams I don't understand. I know people I've never met before. I'm just so angry at it all Stefan," Brea snapped, sending the pair into a few minutes of awkward silence.

Damon, Elena and Brea were walking through the party in the woods to reach the tomb. "The Duke party. I forgot," Elena said. "I hope they stay away clear of the church."

"Your hope, not mine," Damon retorted making Brea hit his arm playfully.

"Brea, Elena, hey!" Matt called out.

"Quick, duck and run, duck and run, maybe he didn't see us," Brea jokingly yelled as Matt fake glared.

"Elena, Brea! Oh my god. Where have you been?" Caroline asked bouncing up next to Matt and taking his hand awkwardly.

"Long story, no time to tell it," Damon snarked.

"Wasn't talking to you," Caroline muttered.

"Sure you were," Damon smirked.

"Elena and I were kidnapped today," Brea said and Elena looked at her incredulously.

"I know you can think of a better joke than that Brea," Matt said rolling his eyes before sticking his hand out for Damon. "We haven't met. I'm Matt."

"Matt, there's a reason we haven't met," Damon dismissed, making Brea stomp on his foot causing him to hiss in pain and glare at her. "You two and I are going that way," Damon said pointing the twins in the direction of the church.

"Sorry!" Brea yelled out back to her best friends as they walked away.

"I'm sorry guys," Elena also said.

"Ty!" Brea yelled spotting Tyler across the bonfire waving.

She went to walk towards him when Damon grabbed her and lifted her off the ground, turning her in the direction he wanted her to be walking in. "Moving along, you can see him later."

"This sucks. Duke's parties are actually fun," Brea moaned as they walked away from the party.

After a while of walking, Damon spotted Stefan, Bonnie and Sheila and whistled. "Brother. Witches," he greeted.

"Everything ok?" Stefan asked the girls.

"I just wanna get this over with, are we ready?" Elena moaned.

"I guess so," Bonnie agreed reluctantly.

As they all entered the church ruins, Bonnie's grandmother, Sheila, began lighting torches that symbolised the four elements. As Sheila started pouring a drink bottle on the ground Brea asked with a smile, "is that it? Water from the tap?"

"As opposed to what?" Sheila asked.

"I thought it'd have to be blessed or mystical or something," Elena answered and Brea nodded in agreement.

"Yeah like holy water or from the fountain of youth or something like that," Brea added and Sheila gave the two girls a sweet smile.

"What's that?" Stefan asked as Damon pulled a blood bag out of his jacket.

"Ew gross," Brea whined.

"It's for Katherine. Gotta have something to get her going. Unless your girl here's offering up a vein to tap," Damon said nodding his head at Elena. "Admit it… you can't wait to get rid of me," Damon whispered to Stefan.

"I can't wait to get rid of you," Stefan agreed without pause.

"We're ready," Bonnie announced before she and Sheila began chanting.

"What are they saying?" Damon asked.

"Sounds Latin," Stefan guessed.

"I don't think it's Latin," Elena disagreed. The flames from the torches then grew bigger and Elena clung to Stefan, "what's happening?"

The tomb door then swung open, "it worked," Bonnie whispered.

"Of course it worked," Sheila chided.

"That was spooky," Brea spoke as she peered her head to look at the entrance to the tomb.

"We have some fires to build," Damon said to Stefan.

"I'm gonna go get the gasoline, I'll be right back," Stefan said to Elena who nodded and walked over to Brea and grasped her hand nervously.

"You two ready?" Damon asked.

"What?" both Elena and Brea said confused.

"You think I'm gonna go in there by myself so you can seal me in?" Damon asked dragging the twins to his side.

"Don't take them in. I'll bring the walls down," Sheila warned.

"Hey, I'm not on board with that plan," Brea protested.

"You'll bring the walls down if I don't, you think I trust you?"

"As much as I trust you," Sheila goaded.

"Enough, both of you," Elena snapped. "Look, he needs leverage. He needs to know that you're not gonna shut the door when he gets inside. I get it, I'll go, but Brea stays out here."

"Fine," Damon said grabbing a torch and walking into the tomb.

"Woah, Elena, no, I'm coming with you," Brea argued, following her twin into the tomb and grabbing back onto her hand. "No way was I letting you go in here alone." Elena just gave Brea a small smile as they quickly caught up to Damon.

As they went deeper into the tomb voices began whispering. "What is that?" Elena asked panicked.

"They can sense you both," Damon answered. "Now, where is she?" Damon muttered, running off to find Katherine leaving the girls by themselves.

"Damon!" both girls whispered scared.

"Damon?" Elena asked again as they walked through the tomb trying to find him.

"Damon you douchebag get back here or I'll get Jeremy to beat you up!" Brea weakly threatened. "Damon!" she hissed.

"Damon!" Elena called out in fear as the whispers then got louder again. Elena waved her flashlight around and it lit up a desiccated body and the girls shrieked and clung to each other in fright. Everywhere they turned there were desiccated vampires and the twins quickly began to panic. After a minute of frantically spinning around, Elena tripped, dragging Brea down with her.

"You idiot," Brea groaned as they hit the ground.

"We're on someone," Elena whimpered, making Brea freeze as Elena focused her flashlight to show that they had landed on a desiccated male vampire. Elena slowly raised the flashlight up until it reached his face, as soon as it did, he opened his eyes to look at them. In shock, both girls screamed in fright and hurriedly picked themselves up off the ground and spun around only to find themselves face to face with Anna.

"Anna!" Brea gasped in shock.

"You must have a taste for it. You scream and shriek and even bother to escape, but then you just come right back to it," Anna said to Elena whilst slowly stalking toward them. Elena then started walking backwards and bumped into someone's legs. "Mother!" Anne gasped, running toward her. "Your boyfriend did this, you know," Anna hissed at Elena.

"His father did," Elena tried to explain.

"And Jonathan Gilbert. I made a choice a long time ago that it would be Gilbert's blood that brought her back to life." Anna said and Brea started to push Elena behind her as they slowly backed away from Anna. "I had Jeremy all ready to go but…" the girls turned to run but Anna was already right in front of them.

"I guess now is a good time to tell you we're adopted," Brenna chuckled nervously. "We're fake Gilbert's. Not real Gilbert's."

"Likely story," Anna scoffed. "You should leave Brenna, if any of these vampires come back to life no one will be able to stop them from coming for you," Anna said before shoving Brea out of the way and onto the ground. "But I need your sister," she growled, as she grabbed Elena and dragged her over to her mother.

"Anna please!" Brea pleaded, but before she could do anything, Anna bit into Elena's wrist and Elena let out a bloodcurdling scream. No!" Brea yelled getting quickly up off the ground and running at Anna, but Anna managed to hold Elena's arm to Pearl's mouth and hold Brea back at the same time.

"I'm gonna get you out," Anna comforted her mother, Pearl.

"Let her go!" Stefan yelled throwing Anna off of Elena before Brea and Stefan both hauled Elena up off the ground. "Go, go I'll be right behind you two," Stefan encouraged, pushing them away and neither girl hesitated, they grabbed each other's hand and ran out of the tomb as fast as they could.

"Elena," Bonnie started as they exited the tomb, "Stefan…"

"He's right behind us," she said turning around to see Stefan standing in the doorway. "Stefan, what are you doing?"

"It's gonna be okay. We'll fix it," Bonnie assured.

"What is it? What happened?" Brea asked.

"I can't," Stefan answered.

"Can't? Ca-can't what?" Elena asked desperately.

"The spell's still up. We can't get them out… yet," Bonnie said sounding guilty.

"You went in there not knowing if you could come back out? Oh my god," Elena cried in disbelief.

"I heard you scream," he explained with tears in his eyes.

"We can't leave him in there. We all promised him," Elena said in reference to Damon.

"I know," Stefan agreed.

"Even if we're able to break through the seal, we won't be able to hold it for long," Sheila explained and Stefan ran off to find Damon. Bonnie and Sheila then started chanting the spell that would release the seal.

"I think it's working," Elena said after a while walking towards the entrance, but as soon as she saw Anna coming through, Elena jumped back.

"I just want my mother back. Jeremy's fine, he's outside. We won't touch him," Anna explained as she supported her mother out of the tomb.

"Hi Pearl," Brea whispered to the newly awakened vampire.

"Brenna," she croaked, shakily reaching forward to stroke her cheek before Anna dragged her out.

The flames then started to falter around them, "Bonnie keep going!" Sheila ordered. "They better hurry," she warned the twins.

"Stefan, they can't hold it much longer," Elena screamed into the tomb before turning around and noticing one torch's flame was completely extinguished.

Brea groaned as she saw her sister's worried face. "Come on," she said, taking Elena's hand and running back into the tomb. "Damon!" Brea yelled as they spotted the Salvatore brothers.

"Please," Elena pleaded with them, hoping they'd get a move on and leave the tomb. Damon looked devastated as he shrugged his jacket back on and started walking out, the girls and Stefan ran behind him as they raced to get out of the tomb. Just as they exited the tomb, the door slammed shut and Elena pulled Stefan into a hug.

Brea walked up to Damon and took his hand and whispered, "where is she?"

"She wasn't in there," he said a look of despair on his face, Brea then immediately pulled him into a hug which he didn't return and her own eyes filled with tears as she let him go. "Jer," she said softly to Elena and the twins and Stefan then proceeded to run outside to see if he was ok.

"He's ok," Stefan confirmed after giving the unconscious boy a look over. The three then turned to face Damon, Elena walked up to him and gave him a hug exactly like the one Brea just gave him, as he stared blankly into space.

"I'm headed to Bonnie's, I'll see you tomorrow," Elena said as she ran out the front door later that night.

"What's her problem lately?" Jenna asked as they sat on the couch watching a movie.

"Children," Brenna sighed, making Jenna laugh as the doorbell rang. "I got it earlier," Brea argued immediately, making Jenna groan before getting up to answer it.

"It's for you anyway," Jenna called out.

Brea got up from the couch and walked around the corner to see her friend swaying drunkenly in the doorway. "Tyler?" Brea asked confusedly

"Ok, I feel like as your guardian I should step in here or, something," Jenna said nervously. "I don't really know what to do. Do you have this?" she asked Brea and Brea nodded. "Right, amazing, he's all yours," Jenna nodded. "I'm just going to pretend I don't see this," she sighed as she walked back off into the kitchen.

"Ty, are you ok?" she asked as she reached the doorway

"Brea, sweetheart, I've never been better," he slurred and he just about fell on top of her.

"Wow, how drunk are you?" she asked helping him to the couch.

"Oh please, I'm not even drunk," he dismissed giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Ok, just ugh stay there, I'm going to get you water," Brea said wiping her cheek before she stomped off to the kitchen.

"Wait, could you get me a beer instead?" he called out after her and she glared at him through the wall.

"Is something going on there, with you two?" Jenna asked as Brea got into the kitchen, wiggling her eyebrows at her.

"Oh god, no Jenna! He's Tyler, that's like incestual," Brea groaned filling a glass of water at the tap and heading back to her friend who was slumped on the couch. "Drink," she ordered, handing him the water.

He drank his glass and then promptly passed out, so Brea covered him up with a blanket and headed upstairs.

Chapter Text

EDITED SEP22

Two Weeks Later

"Move," Brea snapped, arguing with Elena over the porch swing.

"I was here first, why should I have to move?" she countered.

"Because you've been sitting here for ages, it's my turn."

"I shouldn't have to move because you want a turn, it can be your turn when I'm done," Elena snapped. "Besides, the only reason you want it is because I'm here."

Brea scowled at her sister before she sat down on Elena's feet, "I'm not moving so you better move your feet."

"You're so annoying," Elena groaned, pulling her feet out from under Brea, leaving room for Brea to sit uncomfortably. "It's just not fair Brea, Bonnie's grams was the only person who could understand her, you know with the magic and all. Why do good people have to die?" she asked, kicking out at Brea's hand to try and stop her from shoving her feet. "I'm going to try and call her again," Elena muttered, pulling out her phone. "Hey Bonnie, it's me. Just checking in. Seeing how you're doing. We miss you here, don't let your aunt drive you too crazy, come home soon, we love you," Elena said leaving a voice mail as Aunt Jenna walked up the porch.

"What are you two doing out here?" Jenna asked.

"Arguing and pondering," Brea answered.

"Arguing and pondering? Good combination. It's cold outside though," Jenna noted bemusedly.

"Brea's the one arguing. I came out here to think, to write," Elena groaned. "Activities that have been rudely interrupted," she added with a glare at Brea. "The, uh, funeral for Bonnie's grandma, it brought back a lot about mom and dad. I was wondering. You said that you would do some digging about them, the adoption," Elena asked.

"Right," Jenna nodded slightly uncomfortable.

"Did you?" Brea asked.

"Dig?" Elena added.

"Come on inside," Jenna said with a small smile at the girls. "Your dad kept everything from his medical practice," Jenna said at the kitchen table. "Records, logs, old appointment books. I found an entry from the night you two were born. A patient and a birth date." Elena and Brea rushed over to look at the book. "Isobel Peterson."

"Do you think that's her real name?" Elena asked.

"Probably not, I don't think pregnant teen runaways really want to be traced," Brea shrugged.

"Exactly," Jenna agreed. "The first name maybe. But where'd she get Peterson? Classmate? Best friend? So, I looked it up. I searched for all the Petersons in this area born the same year as Isobel. Found three. Two men and a woman, Trudie, who lived in Grove Hill, Virginia."

"That's not far from here," Elena said excitedly.

"Well watch this," Jenna said typing into her computer and then clicking a picture with a woman named Isobel and Trudie.

"Isobel, she was a cheerleader," Elena breathed.

"That must be her," Brea said mesmerised. "I mean we're such amazing cheerleaders it would make sense our biological mom being the same," she winked at Jenna.

"Trudie still lives there," Jenna smiled before handing Elena a piece of paper. "This is her address."

"Top tier stalking Jenna. What about Isobel?" Brea asked.

"I couldn't find anything about her. Listen there's something else, Mr Salztman, Ric, his wife was from around here, and her name was also Isobel."

"That would be too weird if they were the same woman," Brea said confused.

"Wait. 'Was,' as in…" Elena said picking up on the wording.

"She died," Jenna explained.

"Well," Brea said, breaking the morbid tension. "You could get a job at the FBI Jenna."

"What if Alaric's wife and our mother are the same person?" Elena asked as they stood at Trudie's door. "I couldn't handle her being dead before I get to know her, it'd be too much."

"Knock, Lena, knock," Brea urged as Elena stood staring at the door. Brea then reached over and knocked loudly, causing Elena to panic and turn around to leave. Brea grabbed her shoulder and spun her sister back to face the door just as it opened.

"Trudie?" Elena asked. "Tru-Trudie Peterson?"

"Yes," she said nodding.

"Uh, our names are Elena and Brea Gilbert. We wanted to ask you about Isobel Flemming," Elena said as Brea remained silent.

"Well, I haven't heard that name in years," she said with a smile. "How do you know her?"

"We think that um…" Brea started but then trailed off.

"Do you know if she had twin babies that she gave up for adoption?" Elena asked saving her flailing sister and Trudie's eyes widened.

"My God," she breathed. "You're her daughters," she said with a laugh. "I was just gonna make some tea. Would you like some?

"Sure," both girls said with a smile.

"Uh, the kitchen's this way," Trudie said directing them into the house.

"We weren't going to come," Elena explained. "I mean we didn't think we were, but she's our birth mom, she's a part of us. It's a part we'd like to get to know."

"We had your address, we're so sorry for barging in," Brea apologised with a smile. "Elena insisted," she added, making Elena turn to glare at her.

"It's no problem," Trudie said. "Just a surprise, though," she said as they all sat down. "I haven't thought about Isobel in years."

"When was the last time you saw her?" Elena asked.

"About 17 years ago, when she left to go have you two. We kept in touch for a while, but, well, you know, people drift apart."

"And you don't know where she ended up?" Elena asked further.

"She was in Florida for a while. She was on her own. I know it wasn't easy," she said sadly.

"Do you have any idea who our father is?" Elena asked.

"I could never get her to fess up," Trudie said carefully. "Anyway, she finally pulled it together, got into college on a scholarship."

"Where did she go?" Brea asked leaning forward in interest.

"Somewhere in North Carolina. Duke, I think. Smart girl, smart school," Trudie said as the twins smiled at each other. "Let me just get that," Trudie said getting the kettle as it boiled.

"This is so exciting," Brea said momentarily throwing her hands around Elena's neck before they separated.

"I just can't believe we're finally getting to know about our birth mother!" Elena said with a giggle. "So Isobel was a cheerleader?" Elena asked Trudie as she arrived back in the dining room.

"Yeah she was," she said pulling out the yearbook. "The crowd came for us, the football team hadn't won in years. We were the stars. Well, Izzie was. But I was a damn good backup."

"This is great. Thank you," Elena said genuinely.

"You're welcome," Trudie smiled.

"Elena and I were both cheerleaders for a while so this is very exciting. I really appreciate you telling us this," Brea told her.

Trudie touched the twin's hands affectionately before pointing out, "neither of you has touched your tea."

"Oh yeah," Elena muttered before the twins both took a sip out of the mug. When they tasted it they frowned immediately, after the way their lives had changed in the last couple of months, they were both very familiar with this herb. "What is this?" Elena asked.

"Oh, it's just some herbal mixture," Trudie shrugged nervously.

"Vervain?" Elena asked. "You know," she realised.

"Know what?" Trudie asked, her eyes widening.

"You didn't invite us in," Brea realised. "You invited us for tea but you didn't say come in."

"You're serving two strangers vervain tea," Elena continued. "You know," she pushed.

"I think that you should both probably leave," Trudie said as she began to panic.

"Wait. What are you not telling us?" Elena asked confused at the turn of events.

"Please leave," Trudie said more urgently. "Now!" Elena and Brea then stood up and grabbed their coats sadly before leaving the house.

"Well, that turned from awesome to very disappointing very quickly," Brea mumbled.

"She's scared of something," Elena suggested as they walked to their car, just as they were about to get in they turned around to see a man standing in the middle of the road staring at them so they got in the car quickly and Elena drove them away.

Spotting Elena enter the Grill, Brea ditched her aunt and ran and towards her sister. "Thank god you're here, Jenna was getting her flirt on with Ric and it was disgusting to watch."

Elena laughed. "Glad I could help you out."

"Hello lovebirds," Brea greeted Matt and Caroline at the ticket booth.

"He's already been hit on, like, 35 times, he's total cougar bait," Caroline said about Matt as soon as the girls approached them.

"I've always thought so," Brea teased as she squished his cheek, making him shove her arm away. "I've said it for years."

"Impressive," Elena said with a smirk.

"Hi, Mrs Donovan!" Caroline piped up squeakily as soon as she saw Matt's mom. Both Matt and Brea made a quick snicker at her nervousness.

"Elena, honey! Oh, and darling Brea, hello, hello" Kelly said happily hugging the twins.

"Hi Kelly," they both say kindly.

"Long time no see."

"How are you doing?" Elena asked.

"Oh, same old. Oh. Matty tells me you broke his heart."

"Mom," Matt interjected embarrassed yet again.

"Just kidding, calm down. He found his rebound girl," Kelly said side-eyeing Caroline causing Brea's smile to drop in anger. "Oh here you go, sweetheart, however many that'll buy," Kelly said passing Caroline money for tickets for the night's bachelor auction. "I just hope I don't get bachelor 3. I dated him in high school. Not impressive," she said before whispering, "in any way," as Elena gave a small laugh and Caroline handed Kelly her tickets. "Thank you, very exciting," Kelly said walking off.

"Let's go find Jenna," Elena suggested as the raffle started.

"I'll meet you over there in a minute," Brea said before leaning over to Caroline and whispering, "just ignore Kelly, she can be a bit of a bitch. You come with me," she said as she pulled Matt away a few feet before flicking him on the nose.

"Ow, what the hell?" he asked.

"Defend your girlfriend, you moron. Caroline is a sweetheart and you know she won't defend herself against your mom but that kind of talk will just play on her insecurities. Don't be such a noob," she lectured before walking over to Elena who had just walked away from Stefan.

"Oh my god," Elena breathed. "I just found out. Stefan managed to get a picture of Alaric's wife Isobel. Brea, it's Isobel Flemming. Our birth mom. Ric's wife is our mom."

"Oh my god," Brea stuttered, pushing her hair back. "I can't believe it. We just found out who she was… and now… she's already dead," Brea realised sadly. "Look I... I don't want to be insensitive, but I really want to have a good night Lena. We both deserve it after the month we've had. Let's just... can we talk about it later, please? Let's just go sit with Jenna and try to have a good, fun night for once."

"Number 4, Alaric Saltzman," Carol Lockwood announced at the bachelor auction, and Brea started nudging Jenna's arm madly.

"Wolf whistle Jenna, wolf whistle," Brea teased, making her aunt giggle.

"Wow, that's quite a mouthful," Carol laughed. "What do you do, Alaric?"

"I'm a teacher at Mystic Falls High," he answered.

"Oh, beauty and brains, ladies. This one's a keeper. What do you teach?"

"History."

"History. Oh, well, give us a fun fact about Mystic Falls something crazy," Carol asked and Ric froze, unsure how to answer. "He's probably saving the best stories for his date," Carol covered up. "And last, but not least, Damon Salvatore. We don't have much on you."

"Well, I'm tough to fit onto a card," he smirked.

"Do you have any hobbies, like to travel?" she asked.

"Oh, yeah, LA, New York. A couple of years ago, I was in North Carolina, near the Duke campus, actually. I think Alaric went to school there, didn't you Ric? Yeah, cause I know your wife did." As soon as Damon said this both Elena and Brea stopped smiling and sat up straight, he knew their birth mother. "I had a drink with her once. She was a great girl. Did I ever tell you that? Cause she was… delicious." As soon as Damon said that both Elena and Brea's eyes widened. Damon had just confessed to killing her. Both their eyes immediately started tearing up, Damon had killed their birth mother.

"Are you ok?" Jenna asked noticing their change in demeanour.

"Air," Brea croaked.

"We just need some air," Elena choked as the girls got up, grabbed each other's hands and ran outside pushing past Stefan on the way.

"Elena, Brea!" he called out as he followed after them.

"He killed her? Damon was the vampire that killed her?" Elena snapped in anger as Brea paced up and down the sidewalk.

"I don't know what happened. Alaric said that they never found the body," Stefan told them as Brea stopped pacing and leaned against the wall hyperventilating.

"Oh my god," Brea whimpered.

"I know. I'm so sorry. I wanted to tell you two, but I just- I wanted to know more first."

"We were feeling sorry for him," Elena sobbed.

Brea growled, stalking over to the couple. "We wanted to be his friends but he killed her!"

"We hoped this whole Katherine thing would change him. That was so stupid," Elena admonished herself.

"He doesn't know about the connection to you both. I thought about confronting him, but he's already so on edge," Stefan tried to reason.

"Why are you protecting him?" Elena accused.

"We shouldn't have to walk on eggshells around him!" Brea yelled.

"You both aren't the only ones hoping that he might actually change," Stefan said sadly.

Brea then noticed a man standing behind Stefan, the same man who had been outside Trudie's house. Brea nudged Elena's arm and gestured with her head, making her sister look and spot the man. "That man," Elena spoke up, causing Stefan to turn around and look at him. "We saw that man outside of Trudie's."

"Get back inside, come on," Stefan said ushering the girls indoors.

"And bachelor number 3 goes to 37458," Carol announced.

"That's me," Kelly called out.

"Ah, Kelly Donovan. Lovely," Carol said scathingly over the microphone.

"Serves the bitch right for the way she spoke to Care," Brea mumbled her head resting in her hands.

"You and the plumber should have so much fun," Carol said.

"I always have liked Carol," Brea said. "She doesn't sugarcoat things."

"She is one scary woman," Jenna agreed, as she stroked Brea's hair and watched her concerned.

"Bachelor 4 goes to 37649," Carol said.

"That's me!" Jenna said, happy that she had won a date with Ric.

"Woah!" Brea cheered enthusiastically.

"Thank you, Brea, sweetie," Carol stuttered nervously.

Just as Jenna was about to stand up, Brea pulled her arm. "You owe Jeremy and me big time. We bribed Carol with 3 months of fortnightly carwashes to pull out your ticket."

"Thank you!" Jenna breathed, kissing Brea on the cheek before she ran off to claim her 'prize'.

"Let's go to the bathroom, I can't sit here any longer and pretend things are ok," Elena said getting up and walking off leaving Brea to follow her. As the girls walked around the corner Elena walked straight into Damon.

"Whoa. Easy there," Damon smirked as Brea yanked Elena back towards her while the girls glared daggers at him. "Buy a ticket like everyone else," he joked.

"Did you enjoy that?" Elena hissed.

"You pompous, arrogant pig," Brea insulted.

"Woah, what's happening here?" he asked confused. "Enjoy what?"

"Rubbing it into Alaric Saltzman," Elena explained with malice.

"What?" he asked with a frown.

"Just as we were starting to think there was something redeemable about you," Elena hissed.

"Elena, Brea," Stefan said coming up behind Damon trying to stop them.

"Am I missing something here?" Damon asked looking between the three of them.

"Um, let me think. Well aside from the fact Ric is going to be our future uncle, we may have forgotten to mention to you that we found out who our birth mother is," Brea said, her knuckles going white as she clenched her fist.

"Elena did mention that actually," Damon said leaning forward with a smirk.

"The one that gave us up?" Elena continued. "Her name was Isobel." As soon as Elena said that Damon's face paled and his smirk dropped as he realised what was happening. "Go ahead, reminisce about how you killed her," Elena snapped heading back outside.

"Brenna I..." Damon started.

"Just, don't" she dismissed him as she went and sat back down at the table.

"Yo Brea!" Tyler called out in the hallway.

"Yo Shrek!" Brea called back to him and he laughed and immediately ran up to her.

"Where did that come from?" he asked, slapping his hand over his chest in feigned pain.

"It just felt right," Brea laughed back before she began glaring at her sister. "Oh my god, that nasty little girl."

"What did Elena do now?" Tyler asked with a smirk.

"That's my jacket!"

"I thought sisters were meant to share?

"Don't be stupid Tyler," Brea rolled her eyes.

Brea was jumping up and down trying to get her brother's attention as they walked into the Grill. "Take off the headphones! Come on Jer!"

Jeremy, however, was too tall and she couldn't rip them off his head. "Stop or I'll leave," he warned.

Brea and Jeremy sat inside a booth. "Ty!" Brea called out as she spotted him playing pool and waved him over to their booth.

"I'm gone," Jeremy snapped, quickly storming off.

"What's his problem?" Tyler asked

"He's grumpy today."

"Want a burger?" Tyler offered.

"Oh my god!" Brea gasped, ignoring his question as she pointed at her aunt who was getting drunk at the bar.

"Woah! Go, Jenna," Tyler cheered.

"No don't encourage her," she laughed, slapping his arm. "She is a responsible role model now."

"Oh, yeah, wild Aunt Jenna is a role model is alright. I love it. I want to be just like her when I grow up."

"You're an idiot!" Brea laughed. As she and Tyler were laughing, she was suddenly yanked out of her seat by her arm.

"Brenna!" a man hissed in her face.

"Easy dickhead, let her go," Tyler growled trying to shove the man off of Brea, but he was too strong and wouldn't relent.

"How are you alive?" the man growled.

"Who are you?" Brea snapped before her eyes widened. "Fredrick," she gasped as she realised that she recognised him from her 1864 dreams. "Let me go," she said struggling even harder. She didn't really know who he was, but she knew he was unpredictable and dangerous and had always hated her and Katherine.

"Dude I am so close to punching you," Tyler threatened. "Let her go now before I kick your ass."

"No Ty, don't!" Brea said quickly, not wanting him to get hurt, because Frederick was likely to attack him.

"I don't see Katherine protecting you now," he smirked before he looked over her head. "Or is she? I'll get back to you later," Brea turned to look to follow his line of sight when she saw Elena exiting the bathroom. Fredrick aggressively threw her back into the booth before walking off toward Elena.

"Brea," Tyler said running to her side. "What the hell? Are you ok? Where the hell is he?" Tyler growled turning red with rage.

"I'll be back," Brea stuttered, ignoring him as she raced over to her sister. As she tried to speed over to Elena, she was intercepted by a slightly tipsy Aunt Jenna. "Jenna, really?" Brea groaned, she needed to get to her sister.

"Did you just fall into your booth?" Jenna giggled.

"Wait, what?" Brea asked with a frown.

"I looked over and you were face down in the booth."

"Oh right, um, Jeremy pushed me. Yeah he did, he's been very mean to me today."

"Wait, that doesn't make sense, I saw Jer ditch you ten minutes ago. Have you been drinking? Look at me, how many fingers am I holding up?" Jenna rushed to say.

"Jenna, you're not holding any fingers up…" Brea sighed.

"Oh right, that was a trick question," she said before raising her hand. "How about now?"

"Jenna, that's a fist, not fingers," Brea said raising her eyebrows.

"Oh wow, so it is. You're right. Ok, you pass," Jenna said giggling.

"Ok look, Jenna, you look like you're having fun. But I gotta go ask Lena something so I'll see you later," she said sidestepping her aunt and racing up to Stefan and Elena. "A guy just attacked me!" Brea whispered to the couple.

"Which guy?" Elena asked clearly already shaken.

"I think the guy who just confronted you. He hauled me out of my booth and demanded to know how I was alive. He said he'd come back for me! Stefan, I think he was a tomb vampire."

"No. No. That's not possible," Stefan said shaking his head.

"Stefan, it was Fredrick," Brea whispered and Stefan's eyes went wide.

"Fredrick?" Stefan asked and Brea nodded. "I remember him. He and his girlfriend always hated Katherine and Brenna. Look Elena's with me so she'll be safe, I need you to get home. Get Tyler over there to take you. If he said he'll come back for you, then you need to get somewhere he won't be able to enter, like your house." Brea nodded and then walked back to her booth where Tyler was still angrily searching the Grill for the guy.

"Hey, I'm gonna head home I think. Give Jer some hell for ditching me," Brea told him.

"Yeah, let's get out of here. I'll take you home," Tyler said getting up.

As she exited the Grill she noticed Fredrick lurking in the shadows and she took a deep breath. She was distracted by a yelp and looked over to see her aunt fall into a cab. "Jenna?"

"Niecey!" Jenna sang hugging Brea.

"Ok, you're not safe to get in a cab," Tyler laughed. "Come on. I'm driving you home as well."

The whole car ride consisted of Aunt Jenna trying to get her niece to dance with her. As they pulled up at the house Brea quickly thanked Tyler and then threw herself out of the car trying to get away from her clingy Aunt. "Jeremy!" Jenna hollered as they got inside.

"Jenna. Hey, uh, what's, uh… what's up?" Jeremy asked as he jumped out of the kitchen. He kept looking back into the kitchen nervously, making Brea tilt her head.

"Regret," Jenna smirked. "Make sure you lock that up," Jenna said, gesturing to the back door that was wide open before she headed upstairs. Brea hung back suspicious of her brother's behaviour. As soon as he thought the girls left he flung himself back into the kitchen and Brea ran after him.

"Ah ha!" Brea shouted, expecting to catch him in the act of doing something he shouldn't be. But he wasn't doing anything, he just had pulled out materials for a sandwich.

"What's up?" Jeremy asked Brea a bit more sadly.

"Seriously! You're trying to hide the fact that you're making a sandwich from Jenna and me," Brea laughed. "God times have changed from the days when you were taking drugs," she smiled.

Brea went to the cupboard and grabbed a cookie before heading upstairs. As she entered her room and shut her door she screamed out as she saw Anna standing in the corner of her room. "Oh my god, what the hell!"

"Don't yell, please," Anna begged, racing forward and placing a hand over Brea's mouth.

A loud bang then sounded on Brea's door and both girls spun around to face the door. "Owwww" her aunt groaned.

"Just give me a minute," Brea whispered to Anna before racing to the door and opening it to find her aunt flat on the ground. "You alright there, Aunt Jenna?" she asked.

"Yeah, owie, you screamed so I ran to save the day."

"Um, right. I um, stubbed my toe," Brea lied.

"Oh yeah. That hurts when that happens," Jenna groaned from the ground.

"Need a hand there Jenna?" Brea offered.

"No thanks, I'll just crawl back," Jenna said dragging herself back to her room.

"Ok, good night Jenna. So Anna, not to be rude, but what are you doing here?" Brea asked, closing her door and turning back into her room waiting for her to explain why she was there.

"I just thought. I mean, you're my only real friend Brenna. I mean besides your brother but that's… complicated. I just, I thought you'd like to know more about who you are, and I guess... how you are is the best way to phrase it."

Brea immediately stood up straight. "Yes, yes. I need to know. You have to tell me whatever you know."

"Ok," Anna said sitting down on the bed. "Maybe you should just ask some questions? I don't know how to go about this."

"Am I Brenna from 1864?" Brea immediately asked.

"Yeah. You are."

"How?" Brea asked, desperate to know.

"You told me all about who you are. About a century before 1864 when we were making our way through Prague."

"Before? I knew you before 1864?"

"Yeah, you were travelling with Katherine around that time. And you know, my mom was best friends with Katherine. So we spent quite a lot of time together before we came to Mystic Falls in 1864."

"How is that possible? I'm only human. I don't understand."

"You told me about how many many centuries ago a witch put a curse on you."

"A curse?" Brea's eyes widened.

"Could you let me finish? It'll make more sense, if you don't interrupt," Brea just nodded and Anna continued. "So you said that around the year 1000, a witch put a spell on you. Apparently, you were in love with her son who got turned into a vampire. You told me that he couldn't live without you, which was slightly arrogant of you. So the witch spelled you so that every time you died, you would come back to life again. When you die, you reincarnate. Different family, a different life. But the same name, Brenna. You never really wanted to elaborate much more after that, but you said you never make it to the age of 22, you always get sick and die." At this Brea's face paled. She was already 17. "You ok?" Anna asked concerned and Brea just nodded her head. "Look, you hate this curse ok. You find either Katherine or this guy you love, you never told me his name. You get a few happy years and then you die. I'm sorry it's so morbid."

"What happens to the two of them when I die?"

"Well I know Katherine just gets straight to finding you again. You reincarnate on the same day every time, June 23rd. So she dedicates herself to finding you, she always has a witch handy to help. Katherine told me that she has to find you before your boyfriend or his family does. I mean your boyfriend hates her guts from the sounds of it. I don't know why. But she said that if she finds you first she can use a witch to cloak you, so he can't find you."

"Why would she want me hidden from him if he loves me?" Brea breathed.

"I overheard you and Katherine arguing about that once. Being with him, apparently, it's dangerous for you. He has a lot of enemies and that puts you in danger of being collateral damage."

"How am I related to Katherine?" Brea asked.

"You were sisters."

"How is that possible?"

"When you reincarnated one time, you were her twin sister it was in like, the late 1400s or something when she was still human. It was just like you and…"

"Elena. That has to mean something. How can they look the same and both have me as a twin?"

"You don't seem all that phased by this," Anna noted.

"I, umm, I mean I've been having nightmares about my previous lives for months now. So it's not like I didn't know something was different about me. Stefan and Damon suspected this but we were never sure."

"I don't know how it's possible Brenna, I really don't. I don't understand it and you would always get upset when you tried to explain it."

"Do you know anything else about the man? The one I'm supposedly in love with?"

"Have you had dreams about him too?" Anna asked.

"I don't know, I think so, maybe," Brea muttered.

"All I know about him is that he is a very old vampire. Older than anyone I know. He has a family that you're very close with. He actually gave you that ring," Anna said taking Brea's hand to look at it. "To protect you. You told me all about it one night. Every time you're in danger the purple gem glows, he has a ring as well that you said glows when yours starts to, they're linked. Yours glows before the danger comes so that gives him time to get to you and help if he can. I'm sorry Brenna, you never told me anything else. You and Katherine were so secretive about that part of your life."

"Can you elaborate on that rule you were talking about the other day? You were, you know, holding me hostage at the time so I wasn't really listening when you were talking about it."

"Well you were the only human in a large group of vampires, and some of them wanted to eat you. They didn't believe in carting a human around. Katherine killed a lot of the vampires who threatened you. That's why we planned to settle down in Mystic Falls. So they'd have other people to eat, it'd keep you safer. Katherine warned us all that you knew the most dangerous vampires in the world, and if you were so much as scratched they'd spend the next 500 years torturing whoever touched you. Some of the vampires believed it, but not all of them. But no one was keen on crossing Katherine, she was a bit crazy. So no one touched you. But, Brenna, all the vampires from the tomb are out. Fredrick as well. I don't know if you remember but he hated you more than any of the others."

"I kind of do. I saw him today. He grabbed me in the Grill, he said he'd be back for me."

"Brenna, promise me. Do not go out after dark, not by yourself," Anna warned. "I'm serious. You cannot trust him not to go for you out of spite or hatred for Katherine." Brea just nodded. "Look I'm sorry to just spring this on you, but I have to go."

Brea then went to Elena's room to find her about to switch out her lights. "Hey, what's up?" she asked, seeing Brea obviously upset about something.

"Can I sleep in here tonight Lena?"

"Yeah, yeah, are you ok?" Elena asked. Brea just nodded and got in bed with her sister and proceeded to tell her sister everything that Anna told her before they went to sleep hugging each other.

Chapter Text

EDITED SEP22

Jenna looked up at Brea and smiled muttering "morning."

"Oh my god!" Brea gasped, walking toward her aunt. "What happened to your eye?" Brea asked pointing to her aunt's black eye.

"I don't know. I think I ran into something."

"Oh," Brea said with a small laugh.

"What? Do you know something?" Jenna asked unable to recall what happened.

"Yeah, you ran into my door last night, silly."

"I did?" she asked as Jeremy and Elena looked up to give their aunt a weird look.

"Yeah, I… stubbed my toe and screamed. You thought I was in trouble or something and, bang, drunk Jenna ran straight into my closed door."

"Urgh," Jenna said dropping her head in shame. "How did I get home?"

"Oh my god, Jenna!" Elena said with a laugh.

"Jenna, Tyler took pity on you and he drove us both home," Brea explained laughing.

"I am never drinking again," Jenna groaned, and as soon as she did, the three siblings sprung to face each other.

"Lounge?" Jeremy asked and the girls nodded and they all, except Jenna, raced into the living room. "$10 each this time?"

"Sound fair," both girls nodded.

"I call one week," Elena said.

"3 days," Brea said.

"Tonight," Jeremy said.

"Oh he of little faith," Brea mocked as the girls gave him a smug face. "Rules?" she asked.

"Standard. No pouring her a drink, no talking about alcohol in front of her, no leaving bottles out on the bench for her to find," Elena listed. "Deal?"

"Deal," Jeremy and Brea agreed before the three of them returned to the table.

"What was that about?" Jenna asked. "Guys! Tell me, I don't want to be left out," Jenna whined as the siblings smiled coyly.

Brea had just finished explaining everything Anna had told her last night to the Salvatore brothers. Damon and Stefan, in turn, told the girls about how two tomb vampires smashed into their house last night and how Damon had struck a deal with Pearl to keep her in the loop about all council-related matters.

"I say we go to Pearl's, bust down the door, and annihilate the idiot that attacked us last night," Damon suggested.

"Yeah, and then what?" Stefan asked. "We turn to the rest of that house of vampires and say 'oops. Sorry'."

Brea narrowed her eyes and turned her head to Stefan. "Did you just crack a funny?" she asked and Stefan sent her a smile.

"I can't believe you made a deal with her," Elena scowled at Damon.

"It was more like a helpful exchange of information. And it was not like I had a choice. She's… scary. Besides, she's gonna help me get Katherine back."

"Of course, she is. Damon gets what he wants, as usual, no matter who he hurts in the process," Elena snipped.

"You don't have to be snarky about it. Besides, you should be happy with this method. I could always seriously threaten, or harm, our reincarnating 1,000-year-old little freakoid over here and I'm sure Katherine will come running from whatever corner of the globe she's camped out at to protect her," Damon said with a shrug of his shoulders as the twins glared at him.

"You're a dick," Brea hissed.

"We woke up this morning to learn that all the vampires have been released from the tomb and you just threatened my sister. I've earned snarky," Elena snapped.

"How long are you both going to blame me for turning your birth mother into a vampire? And how long are you going to go not talking to me?" Damon asked pointing at Brea, making her turn her head away from him.

"We're not blaming you, Damon. We've both accepted the fact that you're a self-serving psychopath, with no redeeming qualities," Elena snarled as she came to stand next to Brea. Brea then stuck her hand out and Elena high-fived it without even needing to look.

"Ouch," Damon muttered.

"This isn't being very productive," Stefan noted. "We're gonna figure out a way to deal with Pearl and the vampires. Yeah?" Stefan asked as Damon walked away.

"I'm sorry," Elena said to Stefan. "He just makes me so cranky," she said leaning into Stefan for a hug.

"I know, he makes everyone cranky," Stefan sympathised.

"Jerk, ass, arrogant, inconsiderate, mindless frat-boy, low-life, butt-faced miscreant!" Brea growled. Stefan and Elena then ended their hug to turn to look at Brea with shocked looks on their face. "Jer and I have been on a Gilmore Girls marathon," Brea said with a shrug. "Felt it was an applicable insult."

Elena scoffed and turned back to Stefan. "So what are we going to do?" Elena asked.

"Damon and I are gonna handle everything, I promise."

"You have my sympathies," Brea said.

"What about us?" Elena asked. "We can't just sit here and do nothing."

"Um, yes we can," Brea disputed.

"No, we can't."

"Lena, did you miss the part where the tomb vampires eat people, and, news flash, we're people! And there's also the part where they hate my guts. We're sitting this one out."

"Exactly," Stefan said with a nod. "That's exactly what you're gonna do because that's what's going to keep the both of you safe."

"Which means nothing if you're not safe too," Elena cooed to Stefan.

"What do you mean? I'm perfectly safe. I have Damon, the self-serving, psychopathic, butt-faced miscreant on my side?"

"Oh, I so wish I recorded that," Brea said laughing as Elena smiled.

"That's comforting," Elena said sarcastically.

"Just give me some of the blanket," Brea snapped pulling the blanket from her sister.

"Go get your own this is mine," Elena said snatching it back.

"We shared a womb, we can share a blanket," Brea argued, pulling it back as her phone rang. "Damon, for the sixth time," she said ignoring the call.

"I'm going upstairs," Elena said clearly agitated. "Just keep the blanket." As she walked off her phone rang.

"Just ignore it!" Brea called out, knowing it'd be Damon calling. As she said that, there was a knock at the door. "Lena! Door."

"You're both ignoring me," Brea heard Damon say, so she leapt up and saw him in the hall and then proceeded to glare at her sister for letting him in.

"The 11 missed calls between the both of us, sorry, our phones died," Elena snarked,

"Stefan here?" Damon asked looking around.

"No, why? Something wrong?" Elena asked concerned.

"He went out into the woods, didn't come back. I can't get him on his phone. I figured he was here with you."

Elena then picked up her phone and dialled as Brea walked towards them, now concerned for her friends' safety. "It's going straight to voicemail. Where could he be?"

"You're not going to like what I'm thinking."

"Oh bugger," Brea breathed when she realised exactly what Damon was thinking.

"Just wait there," Damon told the girls as they walked through the school. "Just wait until I make sure it's safe," Damon said as Elena gave him a look before he stepped out from behind the lockers. "Well don't you look… alive?" he asked Alaric, who he had apparently killed a few days before.

"You can't hurt me," Alaric warned.

"Oh, I can hurt you alright."

The girls gave each other looks, knowing this conversation was getting nowhere, so they stepped out from behind the lockers. "Mr Saltzman. We need your help," Elena said. Alaric just nodded gesturing for them all to come into his classroom. Elena gave him a brief rundown of the tomb vampire issue before getting on to the matter at hand. "Stefan's in the house. Damon's a vampire. He can't get in. We need you. We would go, but…" Elena started before being cut off by Damon.

"But your lives are valuable," he snarked. "Yours, on the other hand," he said nodding his head to Alaric.

"Oh god Damon, shut it!" Brea snapped.

"Oh talking to me again are you?" he smirked, making Brea turn away.

"Stefan told us about your ring," Brea said.

"What about it?"

"Let me recap - you tried to kill me. I defended myself. You died. Then according to my brother, your ring brought you back to life. Am I leaving anything out?"

"Yeah. The part where I try and kill you again. Only this time, I don't miss," Alaric said standing.

"Well this isn't all that productive," Brea mumbled and Elena sighed in acknowledgment.

"Mr Saltzman, please. It's Stefan," Elena said standing in between the two men.

"I'm sorry, Elena. But it's not my problem," he said turning away. Brea frowned, very disappointed in her potential future uncle.

"That's a shame. Because the woman in charge of the crowd can help you find your wife," as Damon said this all three turned to face him, having a vested interest in finding Isobel.

"You're lying," Alaric scowled.

"Am I?" Damon challenged. "Why don't you ask her for yourself? Coward. Come on Gilberts," Damon said guiding the girls out of the classroom.

"All right! Wait," Ric called after them. "I'll go."

"We're going with you," Elena asserted as Damon and Alaric got ready to leave.

"No. No way," Damon denied with a smirk.

"You need us. We can get in. You could distract them, and then we'll get Stefan out," Elena said annoyed.

"You'll get yourselves killed. Neither of you is going in there. So when you get me in, get out as quickly as you can, I know how to sneak around where they can't hear me," Damon said turning to Ric, ignoring the girls. "You'll basically just be in the way."

"Damon now is not the time to be the lone ranger," Elena snapped.

"Fine. Elena, you can drive the getaway car. You're not going in the house."

"You can't stop me! It's Stefan we're talking about here. You don't understand."

"Oh. I understand. I understand. He's the reason you live. His love lifts you up where you belong. I get it," he said mockingly as the girls glare at him.

"Can you just not joke around for 2 seconds?"

"I can't protect you, Elena. I don't know how many vampires there are in there."

"Well, then I'll go!" Brea snapped. "I know them as well. I was friends with some of them," Brea argued.

Damon then snapped his fingers. "That's how long it takes you to get your head ripped off. Sure you used to be friends with some of them, but some of them also hated you and then they got locked in a tomb because of your sister! Friendship over, Pearl told me she's struggling to keep them away from you as it is," Damon said with a growl. "I know you want to come, but I'm dropping you home ok? It's risky enough bringing one human, I'm not risking two. I have to be able to get in and get out. I can't be distracted with your safety. Or, this will end up a bloodbath that none of us walks away from, including Stefan." Damon then moved closer to Elena. "I know, I get it. I understand," he said genuinely.

"If we're gonna go, let's go," Alaric said packing up the weapons.

Brea was watching a movie when she heard crying echo through the house. She immediately closed her laptop and walked out of her room to track down the sound, it was coming from downstairs. "Jer! What happened?" she asked running to kneel in front of him.

"Brea?" he asked through the tears.

"What's wrong? Please, Jer! You need to tell me what happened."

"It's Vicki."

"Vicki?" Brea asked, her eyes widening.

"They found her body, Brea. Buried under mud."

"Oh my god," Brea breathed. "I'll be back in one second, Jer, I swear," she said running to her bag and pulling out her phone.

"Hey Brea," Elena answered.

"Elena, they found her body."

"Wait-what's going on?"

"Vicki's body, Lena."

"Oh no," she breathed.

"I'm going to take Jer to Matt's. Meet us there," she said hanging up. Brea took a deep wobbly breath before walking back over to her brother. "I'm going to sound like a real ass for saying this, but is there any chance you could stop crying?" Jeremy then gave her an incredulous look. "Yeah I thought it sounded bad too, we're going to head over to Matt's, but when we get there I don't want any of us to be crying. We need to be strong for him right now Jer, I'm so sorry."

"Probably should've led with that," he muttered before he nodded and went off to splash water on his face. As he was gone Brea let a few tears fall. She was never Vicki's biggest fan, but this was still a girl she'd watch grow up, Matt's baby sister. "Ok, you ready to go?" Jer mumbled sadly as he appeared back in the living room.

"Yeah," she said wiping her eyes and the two got in the car.

After a while the Gilberts walked solemnly back into their house, none of them said a word on the ride home. As they reached the kitchen they saw Jenna drinking a glass of wine on the couch laughing with Alaric.

"What the hell," Brea sighed, remembering the bet they'd made that morning, but none of them smiled.

"That's $10 each please," Jeremy muttered getting a glass of water.

"How'd you do it?" Brea asked.

"Texted Ric, from her phone, and asked if he wanted to come over for drinks at night."

"Sneaky devil."

"Oh, there you three are!" Jenna called turning around. "Wow, what's with the sadness?" she laughed. "Who died?" she drunkenly laughed even harder.

Brea looked at Elena, if they told Jenna the truth her night would be ruined. Jenna deserved a nice time. "We'll tell you in the morning ok Aunt Jenna?" Brea promised. "You enjoy your night," she said smiling at her and Ric. "Thanks for your help with the project today Ric," Brea nodded at her teacher. "Elena really appreciated it."

"Anytime," he nodded.

"Night," she said as she walked upstairs. As soon as she got into her room she fell down onto her bed and stared at her ceiling. What was happening to their lives?

"Come on, please. My mom said to ask you," Tyler pleaded.

"I don't want to be your date, you're gross. And smelly."

"You can talk."

"Hey!" Brea said as she went to tackle him, as she dived at him, he flipped her away from him.

Tyler laughed before his eyes brightened as an idea popped into his head. "Go to the Founders Kick-Off Party with me and you can tell Matt you beat me at pool?"

"You have got yourself a hot date Mr Lockwood," Brea said sitting up with a smirk and sticking her hand out for him to shake.

"Come on, Jeremy! Brea! Going to school. Walking out the door now," Elena called up the stairs.

"She's so bossy," Brea muttered.

"Whatever, come on," Tyler said walking out of her room and the pair ran down the stairs.

"Oh, hi Tyler," Elena greeted with a small wave.

Jenna then spun around. "TYLER," she yelped before giving Brea a suggestive look. Brea just tilted her head and exhaled in a silent lecture to her aunt.

Elena then opened the front door to reveal none other than their Uncle John on the other side.

"Elena!" he called happily. "Brenna!" he said just as happily as he spotted her. Both twins eyes widened.

"Uncle John. Hi," Elena said awkwardly turning to look at Brea.

"Jenna," John said in greeting.

"John. You made it," Jenna said irritated.

"Said I'd be in by noon," John said walking into the house whilst completely ignoring Tyler.

"Oh, what you say and what you do are typically two very different things," Jenna said.

"Uncle John, what's up?" Jeremy greeted, coming down the stairs dressed all in black. Elena, Brea and Jenna exchanged a look, hoping he wasn't about to slip back into old habits.

"Hey," John said as Jeremy walked out of the house. "I had some business in town. I thought a visit was in order."

"How long are you staying?" Elena asked.

"I don't know yet."

"Hmm. Ok. Well, we've got to get to school. We'll see you later," Elena said running out.

"See you, Uncle John," Brea smiled before she began shoving Tyler down the last few steps. "Run, run, run," she whispered in his ear. As the twins got outside they turned to grimace at Jenna who had been left to deal with Uncle John alone.

"Why has that guy never liked me? It's like I was invisible just then," Tyler asked.

"Don't worry about him Tyler," Elena said with a laugh. "He's an ass."

"Or you're just not very likeable," Brea suggested and Tyler pushed her arm.

"He said his trip is open-ended," Elena explained to Matt as the three stood at Matt's locker.

"Uncle John. I never really liked that guy," Matt said with a snicker.

"Heh. Does anyone?" Elena asked.

"Tyler does I think. I mean he's spent 17 and a half years trying to get that guy to like him. I think he kind of idolises him now. It's like being ignored makes him more desperate to be liked. Oh, that could be fun. Feeling like conducting an experiment on a buddy Matt?" Brea asked with an eyebrow wiggle.

"I am 100% in," he said with a laugh. "But I am here for moral support if you two need me."

"Thanks. I think we'll suffer this one alone," Elena said.

"Speak for yourself," Brea scoffed. "Matt, I could really use some support."

Elena just glared at Brea. "We're ok, Matt. You've been through enough."

"Thank you by the way. For just- everything you both did at Vicki's funeral and her memorial. I couldn't have done it without either one of you."

"Of course, Matt," they both said.

"So is Caroline still baking for you guys around the clock?" Elena asked.

"Care makes a mean cookie Matty. You should put in a request. The triple choc chip one. I highly recommend it," Brea suggested.

"She finally went to her dad's, which is a good thing because my mom was gonna strangle her if she dropped off more lasagne. I did love the cookies though, I've got a few spare if you guys want some."

Brea replied "yes please," whilst Elena shook her head.

"Anyway, we should go see Mr Saltzman, Brea," Elena said, nudging Brea.

"Huh?"

"Remember he asked to see us?" Elena said giving her sister a look.

"Oh right yeah, bye Matt," she said as they walked off with a wave.

"What was Tyler doing at the house this morning?" Elena asked.

"Well he's taking Vicki's death pretty hard, so we've been hanging out more than usual."

"Well, you're usually pretty connected at the hip anyway. But he's never come over in the morning. Is there something I should know about?"

"Ew Elena no, so gross, don't be a Jenna," Brea groaned as they entered Ric's classroom. "Hey, Ric!" Brea greeted.

"Hey," he said solemnly. "Sorry to call you both in before class but I wanted to show you something. I made a copy of a paper that Jeremy wrote for me. I think you should take a look at it," Ric said handing the paper over to the girls. As they took it, they read the title 'Fact or Fiction: The Truth About Vampires in Mystic Fall'.

"Jeremy wrote this?" Elena asked as the girls exchanged worried looks, they didn't want to put their brother in any danger.

"He's very clear that he didn't think it was real."

"I really hope you're right, because we've done so much to protect him from all this," Elena said handing the paper back to him.

"Do you think it could be Anna? I mean they were hanging out. He told me she was helping him write that paper. I could ask her?" Brea offered.

"No, that's too dangerous. We should stay as far away from the tomb vampires as possible, especially you," Elena warned.

"How are you coping with that?" Ric asked. "You know. Finding out that you're like a billion years old."

"I'm trying not to think about it," Brea huffed. "Everything is just too complicated. I just want to get back to a time when we weren't all involved in this. But I guess I've kind of known for a couple of months now that it was a possibility."

"Ok, so how do you want to deal with Jeremy?" Ric asked.

"What do you mean?" Elena asked as Brea pursed her lips, not enjoying lying to her brother.

"I don't know, with all the lies and the secrets. You have to lie to pretty much everyone who's important to you."

"It's not safe for them to know the truth, so, yes, we keep it from them. But it's only because we love them," Elena tried to reason.

"I think Stefan's a good guy, but uh… at the end of the day, he's still a vampire," Ric said awkwardly.

"I know it's hard to understand, but Stefan's different. He would never do anything to hurt me."

"Yeah, he's all pro humans. Kind of anti-woodland creatures though. Oh my god, Elena! What if he eats Bambi!" Brea moaned.

"When did you last watch that movie?" Elena asked annoyed.

"Last night."

"Are you serious? We banned you and Jer from watching that, seriously Brea," Elena complained. Brea and Jeremy had a history of watching it and then for the following week they would cry at the smallest things like an ant carrying a crumb. The ants are just so strong.

"I have no interest in the Founder's Day Kick-Off Party," Jeremy declared.

"Hey, I'm going, so you have to go too," Brea said as she struggled to get her noodles out of the box with her chopsticks causing Uncle John to hand her a fork.

"It's tradition," Uncle John countered.

"Far be it for us to break from tradition," Jenna quipped.

"The Gilberts have been a part of this town for 150 years, one of the founding families, and with that distinction comes certain obligations, including going to the party. One day, when you can appreciate the significance, I'll tell you both all about your heritage."

"Can you really call the Gilberts a founding family though?" Brea asked and John gave her a questioning look. "I mean what about the Vikings?"

"What Vikings?" he asked going a bit pale.

Brea tilted her head and then shrugged, "I don't know. I mean we've never really considered the possibility that people were here before us. Ty and I found a really old, hair comb in the middle of the woods a couple of years back. And it looked a lot older than 150 years, it looked like those Viking combs you see in museums" Brea said with a smile.

"The Gilbert family legacy," Jenna mused. "I forgot how sacred it was. I'm sure you'd actually find it interesting Brea, even coming from John, you know seeing as how you love history and all. I'm not a Gilbert, so I was never cool enough to hear it."

"That's not the only reason you're not cool enough aunt Jenna," Brea teased.

"Why does she hate you?" Jeremy asked leaning towards John.

"We used to sleep together," he answered bluntly.

Jenna then grabbed a rolled-up newspaper and tried to chuck it at John but missed and hit Brea instead as she yelped in surprise spilling noodles down her shirt. "I'm standing right here," Jenna yelled.

"JENNA!" Brea yelled and Jenna's eyes widened at the state of her niece. "Urgh I gotta go change," she said sulking up the stairs as Jeremy laughed. As she was walking past Elena's room she heard a bang and the smash of a lightbulb. She then ran in to see Stefan sitting against the smashed-up bit of wall, panting and Elena sat on the bed looking slightly scared. "Umm, what did I just walk in on? Should I leave?" she asked the panting couple. "Yep, I'm gonna leave," she said backing out and closing the door.

"I just can't believe mom and dad never told you guys that you were adopted," Jeremy said in disbelief as the siblings walked through the woods.

"I'm sure they would have eventually," Elena said with a shrug.

"Why were you both worried about what I thought?"

"It's hard," Brea sighed. "It's… weird. Going your whole life thinking you're related by blood to someone."

"Does it bug either of you that we're not?" Jeremy asked uncertainly.

"No Jer," both girls said.

"If anything it explains why we're so much more attractive than you," Brea teased.

"You're our brother. That's all that matters," Elena said. "So Mr Saltzman said you've been doing great in history now," she said changing the subject.

"Yeah, it helps that our guardian is dating him," Brea sniggered elbowing her brother. "It would not look good for him to fail his future nephew."

Jeremy just rolled his eyes and said "he's really been helping me out. He gave me some extra credit and stuff."

"He loved your vampire paper," Elena tried to say nonchalantly and Brea side-eyed her.

"Yeah, he thought I had a clever angle."

"What drew you to the subject matter?" Elena asked again as Brea huffed at her sister's obvious attempt to find out what he knew.

"Uh, I don't know. Um, boredom. Or maybe I'm just as nuts as the long line of Gilbert crazies."

Brea laughed "oh yeah I can just about guarantee you are Jer!"

"The Gilbert's aren't crazy," Elena scoffed at her siblings.

"Ah, easy for you to say. You're not one."

The girls then stopped and turned to their brother, "ouch." The girls then went to push each of his arms teasingly, causing him to be sandwiched between them as they all laughed.

"You know when you asked me to be your date. I kind of expected you to pick me up as well," Brea said running up to Tyler with a huff.

"Shhh," he said picking up a bottle of his dad's alcohol. "Come on," he said dragging her by the hand into the next room. "Check it out!" he said to Matt.

"Matty!" Brea cheered as she saw him. "Finally, a gentleman I can respect," she said throwing a glare at Tyler.

"Dude, your dad's gonna beat you down if he catches you," Matt said as the three walked into the corner of the room, Brea still being dragged by her hand. "And for the record, I told him to pick you up," Matt said putting his hands in the air in defence.

"Yeah, let him try," Tyler scoffed opening the bottle.

"All right, screw it," Matt said snatching the bottle from Tyler's hand and taking a big swig out of it.

"Wow, Matthew. I thought you were a gentleman. Aren't you meant to offer the lady the first drink?" Brea asked hands on hips.

"Let me know if you see one," Matt laughed holding out the bottle for her while she glared.

"Brea, come on, you hardly even drink," Tyler scoffed.

"Yeah, well it's been a tough few weeks," Brea said taking the bottle. "Maybe it's about time I let loose a bit," Brea then took a big swig of the bottle before handing it to Tyler.

"Brea," a voice called. Brea spun around to see Ric standing in the doorway. Luckily Tyler's back was to him so he didn't see the bottle of booze.

"Hey-hey Mr Saltzman," Brea stuttered.

"Have you seen your aunt?" he asked.

"Um yeah not too long ago, I'll, uh, I'll take you to her," she said leaving the room. "There she is, just there with Elena," Brea said pointing her out as they walked up to them.

"I have a delivery for you Jenna!"

"Ah, I've been looking for you," Ric said. "Had to recruit Brea here to help me find you," he laughed and Brea subtly winked at her aunt.

"Here I am," Jenna answered cheesily. "I haven't seen you in a while."

"Yeah. Well, uh," Ric said looking at the twins. "Things have been a little crazy. But I'm here now. Do you wanna get a drink?"

"Sure," Jenna said with a smile walking off.

"I'd be very happy with him as an uncle," Brea said with a smile at her sister as Matt approached them.

"When did this happen?" he asked referring to the now upbeat party.

"DJ had a change of heart," Elena explained.

"Certainly for the better," Brea laughed.

"Ty was looking for you Brea," Matt said with a smile. "Wanted to get back to business," Matt said not wanting Elena to know they were all drinking.

Brea laughed at his subtlety before saying, "ok, I'll go find him then, see you soon."

"Hey guys, have either of you seen Ty?" Brea asked Matt and Elena, she'd been looking but hadn't found him yet.

"No," Matt said before laughing. "Air. I need some air," he said with a laugh and Brea could tell he was slightly tipsy. "Um, come with me guys?" he asked and Brea laughed.

"Anything for you Matthew," Brea mockingly said with a smile as she caught her twin looking over at Stefan concerned.

"Sure," Elena said after a bit.

"You guys haven't seen my mom have you?" Matt asked and all three shook their heads.

"Um, no. Not in a while," Elena said eyes still on Stefan, making Brea frown slightly.

As Brea got outside, her eyes nearly popped out of her head, "oh my god. Ummm found Tyler," she said in shock as she stared at Tyler making out with Matt's mom.

Elena then got outside and gasped. "Oh my god."

Matt then tilted his head in disbelief and confusion before he ran at the pair ripping Tyler off of his mom. "What the hell are you doing man!?" he yelled.

"Matt," Kelly tried to interject.

"MOM!" Matt yelled at her furiously and she backed off.

"Whoa. Dude, calm down," Tyler said hands in the air.

"Oh no," Brea sighed knowing this would only serve to anger Matt more and before anyone could stop him Matt pulled his arm back and punched Tyler in the face.

"Matt!" the girls yelled. Tyler then grabbed Matt, as Kelly yelled in protest. Tyler punched Matt, who was flung back into his mom, who then went flying back into a table. Elena went to move forward but Chad put out an arm to stop her before he ran towards the brawling pair as Tyler was now sitting on top of Matt punching him over and over. "STOP IT! Tyler!" the girls yelled at the same time.

"Tyler, stop it! You're hurting him," Brea screamed.

"Somebody help us!" Elena yelled as Tyler started to choke Matt. Just before Matt passed out, Ric ripped Tyler off of him.

"Stop, Tyler, get off! Tyler! Hey! Stop!" Ric yelled slamming him into the wall. "Tyler stop! What the hell was that? Huh?" he asked as Tyler calmed down. Elena and Brea then ran to Matt to check him over. "What was that?"

"I'll take it from here. I'll take it from here," the mayor said coming outside and pushing Ric aside. As soon as Brea saw him she stood up eyes wide, worried about what the mayor would do to Tyler. "It's alright," the mayor said, then in view of a crowd of people, put his hand gently on his son's shoulder asking, "you hurt? Go get cleaned up. It's ok. Go get cleaned up," he said pushing Tyler away. Tyler locked eyes with Brea as she looked after him concerned about what punishment he would get from his father later. "Thank you for your help," the mayor said to Ric. "Everything's fine. Everything's fine, everybody," he said trying to get the party going again. "Come on. Everybody back to the party. Let's go. Come on have a good time."

"Where is she?" Matt angrily asked and the girls looked around to see his mom had taken off.

"I don't know. Come on put your head up," Elena instructed as the girls inspected his wounds.

"I'm going to kill him," Brea scowled as she saw the severity of Matt's injuries.

"He's not worth it," Matt scowled.

Chapter Text

Brea's outfit for Miss Mystic Falls, her dress I have as the one Blake Lively wore to the 67th Cannes Film Festival to the Grace of Monaco Premiere

EDITED SEP22

"Come on, what can I do to make you not mad at me? I'm already coming to this stupid pageant. You know me well enough to know how sorry that makes me," Tyler begged. They were preparing for the Miss Mystic Falls competition. Elena and Brea had promised their mom they'd participate in it, and Brea had guilted Tyler into being her date.

"You beat up my best friend."

"I thought I was your best friend?" he asked with a smirk.

"You both were, now it's just Matt, because you beat him up! Now you've been demoted to an acquaintance."

"Why ask me to be your date then?" smiled.

"If I go with you, I can't win. They won't make me the winner if I've gone with you. Your mom couldn't do it. Bias and all."

"Or do you just enjoy my company?" he asked as they took their places.

"Honour your partner," Carol instructed. "Let's focus. Right hand around. Flirt with your eyes."

"Ew," Brea groaned as she and Tyler danced.

"Left hand around. Both hands."

"This is ridiculous," Tyler said as they walked in a circle.

"You don't say," Brea scoffed.

"Oh, oh! No, no, no, no," Carol berated Stefan and Elena, as Stefan dipped her. "There's no touching during this part. It's about the simple intimacy of the near-touch," she scolded them. "Very nice, Amber!" Carol encouraged.

"Haha, delinquents," Brea laughed at Stefan and Elena. "Don't laugh, focus," she scolded Tyler. "Just because I don't want to win doesn't mean you can embarrass me."

"Ric! Hey!" Brea greeted as Elena opened the front door for him.

"Heard you're driving," Elena noted.

"Yeah, I am. Let me get those for you," he said taking Elena's dress before walking forward and taking Brea's.

"Thanks," the twins said.

"Yeah, um, how is Stefan?" Ric asked.

"What do you mean?" Elena asked confused.

"He seems on edge," Ric noted.

"He has seemed different lately," Brea agreed.

"He went through a lot. He was in bad shape for a while. But he's bouncing back now," Elena reassured.

"Alaric," Uncle John said coming into the hallway causing Elena to walk off. "Hey, buddy. What are you doing here?"

"Well, I'm the chauffeur."

"Oh I thought I was driving," John said disappointedly.

"Oh no need," Jenna said coming down the stairs. "We're going with Ric."

"Are we ready?" Elena asked as she walked back into the room.

"Jeremy can ride with you," Jenna told John who looked disappointed to be missing out.

"Yo Jer!" Brea yelled. "Wish me, luck bro," she smiled holding up a peace sign. He just rolled his eyes and sulked away, determined to ignore her.

"Thanks for helping us," Elena said to Jenna.

"Don't thank me until you're sure your hair isn't going to burn off," Jenna joked as she curled Elena's hair.

Brea laughed, "Elena is clearly braver than I am. I would not trust you with a hot tool near my head," she joked.

"Yeah well, you're lucky your hair already has some nice waves," Jenna retorted, poking out her tongue.

"Well, I don't iron my hair straight every day like Elena. Au natural," Brea laughed.

"You know, I remember when we and mom were first applying for this," Elena said coming out of her daydream. "She was so excited."

"So were you guys, if I recall," Jenna said with a sympathetic smile.

"We were," Brea sighed.

"She just made it sound like so much fun. Lot has changed since then."

"Hate to break it to you both, but it's a little late for cold feet," Jenna said.

"I don't have cold feet. I just… I think I'd be enjoying it a lot more if she was here," Elena sighed.

"I'll be back," Brea said standing up and walked off to the bathroom. She pulled out her phone and texted Tyler.

B - You here?

T - Yeah, if I'm trying to get back in your good books I'm not going to be late!

B - Can you come upstairs to the bathroom, please?

T - You ok?

B - Yeah, just come, please

After a minute there was a knock on the door "Brea?" Brea went and opened the door. "Woah you ok?" he said as he grabbed the shoulders of his shaking friend.

"I can't do this!" she exclaimed.

"Why? Dude come on you gotta relax."

"My mom should be here."

"Oh."

"She should. We were meant to do this together! Me, her and Elena. It's not meant to be like this. She is meant to be here," Brea stuttered as she paced the bathroom.

Tyler grabbed Brea and pulled her into a hug. "Hey come on. We'll get through this. I'll help you get through this."

"Brea! Brea!" they heard Carol calling so Tyler opened the door. "Oh, Brea honey there you are! Are you ok?" she said looking Brea up and down.

"Yeah, yeah I um. I'm going to get dressed," she said running off.

"Has anyone seen Amber?" Carol snapped as she frantically looked around for her.

"Do either of you see Stefan down there?" Elena asked Caroline and Brea.

"Nope," Caroline said peering over the balcony. "Just my boring fill-in escort."

"What happened to Matt?" Brea asked.

"They wouldn't let him out of work. What happened to Stefan?"

"I don't know. He just disappeared somewhere," Elena answered looking around.

"Boyfriends," Brea sighed. "Such flakes. You guys should've just forced someone to go with you like I did. Scare them enough and they definitely won't go missing."

"I don't know. What am I doing? I should never have gone through with this," Elena fretted.

"Do you think Carol would kill us if we dropped out?" Brea asked

"Hang on…" Caroline started confused.

"I need to find Stefan," Elena said worriedly before looking at Brea. "This isn't me. I'm not this person anymore."

"Uh, no, no, no, no way, no," Caroline protested. "You had your chances to drop out. And believe me, I was all for it. Because there is no way that I could beat either of you. Guys, you're doing this because it was important to your mom."

Brea rubbed her hand up and down Caroline's arm. "Thank you," she whispered. A month ago Caroline never would have suggested that. Matt was good for her. "If you want, I'll trip Elena for you?" Caroline just rolled her eyes before walking to the top of the stairs.

"Brea, sweetie, you're next. Come on," Carol said after Caroline began descending the stairs, ushering Brea over to the staircase.

"Miss Brenna Gilbert, and her escort Mr Tyler Lockwood," the mayor called and Brea began descending the stairs, meeting Tyler at the bottom and taking his hand.

As she looked around her eyes widened and she hissed to Tyler, "where's, Stefan!" He looked around and shook his head not knowing where Stefan was, but they had no choice but to keep walking outside to take their places, Brea shot Jenna a wide smile on the way past. After they took their places Elena came out not long after, but it wasn't Stefan on her arm, it was Damon. Brea gave Elena a subtle look asking what was going on and Elena shot her a distressed look back, she didn't know where Stefan was either. The music then started playing and she and Tyler completed the dance without making any mistakes. "Thank you," Brea whispered to Tyler as they faced each other at the end.

"Any time," he said with a small supportive smile.

"Where's Amber?" Caroline whispered to Elena and Brea as they lined up to hear the results of the competition.

"I don't know," Elena answered as Brea shook her head looking around.

"Before I crown the winner, I'd like to offer a personal thank you to all of these young ladies for their efforts to better our community," the mayor said as the crowd applauded.

"What did you even do for your community service?" Caroline whispered.

"I told them I babysit Tyler Lockwood," Brea whispered back with a smirk, making Caroline snort.

"So, without further adieu, it is my honour to announce our very own Miss Mystic Falls, Miss Caroline Forbes!" As soon as the mayor announced this Brea's face broke out into a smile and she beamed at Caroline who was in shock.

"Congratulations," Elena said with a smile.

"You won! You won! You won!" Brea cheered whilst grabbing Caroline's arm.

"I actually won!" Caroline laughed in shock as she moved forward to hug Brea and Elena happily.

"Go!" Brea said to Caroline pushing her toward the mayor. Carol was standing there with a sash which she put over Caroline's head while the crowd clapped.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Brea asked Elena as they pulled up to the Salvatore Boarding House and walked in. Brea had been none the wiser, but Stefan had a blood problem. Elena had fed him her blood the other night when escaping from the tomb vampires, and it had triggered his addiction. He missed Miss Mystic Falls because he'd been busy feeding on a girl.

"Damon said it will work. It's my fault, Brea. I did this to him. I have to help him." Brea just nodded and let her run upstairs. Brea moved further inside to see Damon.

"Do you think this will work?"

"He won't hurt Elena. Don't worry Brea. It's our only option. He won't trust me. You ok?"

"Yeah," as she said that they heard a loud bang and Brea spun around.

"Woah, it's ok. She's ok," he said pointing to his ears to show he was listening. "I won't let her get hurt. It's ok Brea. It's done," he said to explain that Elena had successfully vervained Stefan. "Let's go," he said as they walked up the stairs. They walked into Stefan's room to see Stefan on the floor and Elena standing over him. "You sure you want to do this?" Damon asked and Elena nodded as Brea walked over to her.

"I'm sure," she said resolutely. They then went downstairs and locked Stefan in a cell in the basement.

"There's no guarantee this is going to work," Damon said to the twins.

"It has to," Elena said.

"It's what he planned to use to hold when you first got to town," Brea said to Damon. "So I think it's our best bet."

Damon then started to walk off and Brea followed. "You coming?" he asked Elena who had not moved.

"I'm going to stay here," she said barely taking her eyes off the cell door as she slid to the floor. Damon then sat down opposite her and Brea narrowed her eyes at his notion. She didn't want a repeat of 1864.

"Why don't you stay here tonight Lena? I'm going to go home," Brea said leaving.

1697

" Tell me, darling, why do you enjoy these events so much?" a man asked Brenna with a wide smile.

" Because my love, I get to spend the night with you, and only you, no Mikaelson family drama," she answered as the couple danced.

" But these balls are so dull sweetheart."

" Only for those who cannot appreciate the beauty of dance," she said with a curtsey.

" Well I assure you, I can most certainly appreciate beauty," he said spinning her as she giggled.

" Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," she smirked.

" Well you are certainly the most beautiful creature in my eyes," he said leaning forward to kiss her.

" Now now Mr Mikaelson," she chastised, placing a finger on his lips. "We are in public."

" Now now darling, don't be a spoilsport," he mocked leaning in again.

Before their lips could connect, she took his hand and spun under his arm. "I am a respectable young lady Mr Mikaelson. Engaged or not."

" Ah societal rules," he sighed. "They shall forever be a plague upon my very existence," he said as he lifted her in the air in time with the music. As he placed her down she let out a small cough and his eyes widened and he placed both his hands on her cheeks. "Are you alright love?" he said studying her face.

" I'm fine Mr Mikaelson. It is just a cough. Nothing to worry about," she assured with a small smile as his face relaxed and he placed one hand back on her waist as they continued to dance.

1864

" I think he's cute," Katherine said to Brenna as they walked through the Salvatore Gardens.

" Well Katherine, I would most certainly be a liar if I did deny that," Brenna giggled.

" I think he'd make a perfect distraction," Katherine said with a smirk.

" From what?" Brenna asked confused.

" Him."

" Katherine, I am not looking for a replacement."

" Not a replacement, a distraction. There is a distinct difference my darling sister."

" Hello Miss Katherine, Miss Brenna," Henry greeted tilting his hat as he walked past them.

" Hello Henry," Katherine said with a coy smile nudging Brenna.

" Hello," Brenna smiled shyly.

"Hey Uncle John," Brea said as she ran down the stairs. "Have you seen Jer?"

"Yeah, he left for the Grill," John answered.

"Oh," Brea said dejectedly.

"Everything ok with you two?" John asked, leaning on the counter.

"I wouldn't know," Brea sighed. "He's ignored me for the past couple of weeks."

"Have you tried to talk to him about it?"

"Ha, I've tried. We usually hang out after school, but he keeps running off," she said as Elena came through the front door and went straight upstairs. "Speaking of people I haven't seen in a while. I'll talk to you later John," she smiled before running upstairs after her sister. "Hey," she said as she reached Elena's room.

"Hey."

"How's Stefan doing?"

"Not good. You should come to see him. A different face might lift his spirits, Brea."

"I don't know. I thought it might be a little weird. I mean it's not really my place."

Elena rolled her eyes and then put her hands to her lips in a shushing motion and said "he has to eat," into her phone. "What's his favourite kind of, um…"

"Damon?" Brea mouthed and Elena nodded.

"Type of animal blood that he prefers?" she asked Damon. "Your joking doesn't help." After hearing Damon retort she came back with "I would say drop dead, but…" and Brea nodded her head and smirked in approval at her sister's quick wit. Damon then said something she didn't like and she scoffed and hung up. "You going to come?" she asked Brea before shutting her closet door only to find John on the other side making both girls jump in shock as their uncle startled them.

"Sorry," he apologised.

"Lurker," Brea said putting a hand on her chest.

"Uncle John," Elena breathed in irritation. "I didn't see you there."

"I thought we three could talk. We haven't really had a chance to catch up."

"I'm actually just heading out, so…" Elena said as Brea smiled, she then took Brea's hand and made to exit the room.

"Well, it won't take long," John protested and Elena stopped.

Elena turned with a huff. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Don't be rude," Brea hissed under her breath.

John then put down a photo frame of the twins with their parents. "Well, I know you know."

"You're being a bit cryptic there, Uncle John," Brea said tilting her head.

"Know what?" Elena asked.

"It's really silly to keep pretending," he said as Brea looked between her uncle and her sister. "What do you think your mother would say if she knew you were dating a vampire?" As soon as John said this, Brea's eye's stopped moving and she turned to stare wide-eyed at her uncle.

"Which mother?" Elena sneered and Brea raised her eyebrows at her sister's bluntness. Elena then took Brea's hand and dragged her out of the room and out of the house.

"Hey Stefan," Brea said poking her head into the opening bars of the cell as her sister looked to her for assistance. "Um, yeah it'd be really cool if you could drink that blood Elena gave you. I mean not to be selfish but I kind of miss my sister, because she's been here all the time. So if you'd drink that she could come and stay at home," Brea said quickly and Elena shoved her out of the way softly with her hip.

"You need to drink that Stefan. Can't survive without it," she said.

"I don't want to survive," he said solemnly and Brea's eyebrows shot up and her head spun to look at Elena's shocked face.

"What? No don't say that," she said confused.

"I'm sorry Elena. No more. After what I've done, it has to end. I just want it over."

"Come on, Lena, come on," Brea said pulling her shell-shocked sister out of the basement.

"Did you hear that?" Elena asked Damon shakily as she sat down on the couch.

Damon gave a solemn nod. "He was just being dramatic. He's not going to starve himself," Damon tried to comfort.

"Why would he say that?" Elena asked confused.

"He feels bad about hurting that girl. It's very typical Stefan martyr stuff. It will pass," Damon said not showing much concern.

"Will it?" Elena asked doubtfully as Brea took her hand to comfort her. "Because he seemed to be in a lot of pain."

"Yeah. Well, that will pass too once he eats."

"I didn't mean physical pain," Elena stated looking down sadly.

"I know what you meant. Look, are you both gonna be ok here if I run out?"

"Where are you going?" Brea asked.

"I have to go on an errand with the teacher."

"The teacher?" Elena asked.

"Ric?" Brea asked and Damon nodded.

"Are you two friends now?" Elena asked.

"I don't have any friends, Elena."

"Hey!" Brea said standing up offended.

"Fine. One exception," he smirked before walking off.

"Right," Elena said quietly, also slightly offended.

"You should, um, you should stay up here. You shouldn't be down there by yourselves," Damon suggested.

"We'll be fine," Elena muttered.

"You know… you're very trusting of him, given the circumstances," Damon noted.

"So are you," Elena said. "Otherwise you wouldn't be leaving," Elena pointed out.

"I won't be long," Damon said walking off.

"Hey, wait up," Brea called running after him. "Damon!" she yelled when he didn't stop.

"Yes Brenna?" he sighed, turning around.

"Can I come?" she asked.

"No," he denied as he continued to walk away.

"Oh come on, please. Don't leave me with her."

"I was listening to you downstairs, you said you missed her."

"Yeah I miss the normal Elena, this is mopey Elena. She is no fun. So you seem like the best option going around."

Damon narrowed his eyes. "It could be dangerous."

"I reincarnate, no biggy. If I die I'll just see you in 16 years or so I guess," Brea said nonchalantly.

"Brenna, I'm not putting your life in danger. The answer is no." Brea just crossed her arms and stared at him. Damon groaned and shook his head. "Fine!" he snapped and pulled her arm.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Bye Elena!" she yelled out. "So where are we going?"

"Check out a house that we think your vampire mom Isobel is hiding out at."

"Woah, you didn't tell me that," Brea said as they got in the car.

"Want to go back inside?" Damon huffed.

"No," Brea said crossing her arms. "Vampire mom beats mopey sister any day."

"Fine, let's go pick up the teacher," he huffed.

"This is the one here," Ric said as they walked up to the house.

"Not too shabby," Brea said looking the place up and down.

"The records show this was paid 3 months in advance," Ric informed them. "I'm still not happy she's here," he said to Damon as he looked over at Brea.

"She begged me to come," Damon defended himself as Brea nodded in agreement. "This is where it gets tricky," Damon said looking at the front door. "I may or may not be able to get in," he told them as he knocked on the door.

"Yeah, how does that work?" Ric asked, "you always have to be invited in?"

"By the owner or the person of entitlement," Damon told him. "Short-term rentals and hotels are a bit of a grey area. You kind of gotta play it by ear."

"Could we not kill anyone tonight, please?" Ric asked Damon.

"You mean, you just brought me along for our company?" Damon asked.

"Yeah, I'd really like to get out of here without watching someone die," Brea agreed with Ric. Damon smirked and tugged the handle off of the door before gesturing for Ric to walk inside. As Brea went to follow, Damon stuck his hand out in front of her and shook his finger, making Brea glare.

"It doesn't look like anyone's home," Ric called back to them as he walked further in.

Damon inspected the doorway hesitantly as Brea tapped her foot, waiting for Damon to let her go inside. Damon took a step inside and nodded. "Yeah, I'm good," he said as he walked inside, Brea following him in. "Hey, you, stay behind me ok. I'm not joking," he warned her. Brea looked at his face, which was the picture of seriousness before nodding slowly. Damon shut the door behind them. "No permanent resident, apparently."

"Or a dead one," Brea muttered. Damon grabbed Brea's elbow, pulling her behind him as they split up from Ric. Damon opened the door to the fridge and looked back at Brea. Brea frowned as she noticed an item in the fridge that most humans didn't stock. "Blood bags," she whispered.

"Uh, Ric, we have company," Damon called out as Ric started grunting. Brea spun around to see Ric being aggressively held up against a wall by a vampire. Just as she was about to yell at Damon, who wasn't moving very fast to help, Ric stabbed the vampire with one of his hidden stakes. As the vampire was getting up to attack Ric again Damon intervened, racing forward and throwing him to the ground. "Boys, boys, that's enough," Damon smirked as Ric moved protectively in front of Brea. "I know you," Damon said.

"Damon?" the vampire asked standing up. Brea frowned as she recognised the voice and she moved out from behind Ric.

"Your name is Henry. You were in the tomb," Damon noted.

"Yes sir," Henry said.

"Henry?" Brea asked in shock as she came to stand next to Damon. "Henry!" she exclaimed happily as she ran forward and hugged him.

"Miss Brenna?" he asked in shock, hugging her back as Damon grabbed her and quickly hauled her back. Henry laughed in shock at seeing Brea. "What are you doing here? Are you a vampire Miss Brenna?" Brea, Damon and Ric then exchanged glances, unsure how to proceed.

"So how do you guys know John Gilbert?" Henry asked.

"Well, I've known him for years," Damon said, attempting to give off the impression they were friends.

"John is my uncle," Brea said.

"Well, how could that be?" Henry asked. "You're Brenna Pierce?"

"Yeah, right," Brea said shifting uncomfortably. "It's Brenna Gilbert now."

Henry was about to continue questioning Brea when Damon cut in. "John's a good friend. How do you know him?"

"I met him right after I got out of the tomb. He's been helping me out." Damon and Brea quickly locked eyes, confused as to why John would be helping a vampire, he hated vampires.

"Helping you out how?" Ric asked.

"Adapting. It's a whole new world. Cars, computers. There's so much to learn. He helped me get this place."

"So do you live here alone or is there someone else here?" Ric prodded.

Henry looked around confused at the line of questioning. "That's my friend's very… passive-aggressive way of asking, um, do you know a woman named Isobel?" Damon tried to cover.

"Um, no. No, I don't know an Isobel," Henry answered looking between Ric and Damon. "I know John. He's my only real friend. He really showed me the ropes. How to use a microwave, separate my whites."

"What else do you do for him?" Ric asked making Brea glare at his lack of subtlety.

"I help keep an eye on things, you know, with the others. They'll be so glad to know you're still alive Miss Brenna."

"The others?" Damon asked.

"From the tomb. Brenna, you should meet them, I'm sure they'll be pleased."

"I'm not so sure about that Henry," Brea said with a small smile.

"Yeah, I suppose if you tell them you go by the name Gilbert now they'll be mad. They're still pissed at the founding families for trying to burn them alive. I'm cool, but those tomb boys, they want revenge."

"What does John want with them?" Ric pushed further as Brea huffed.

"He's just keeping an eye on them, you know? Trying to make sure they stay out of trouble."

"Well, that's John. He's such a do-gooder," Damon said and Brea raised her eyebrows, holding back a scoff.

Henry's phone then started ringing. "That's John now," he said in reference to the phone and everyone straightened up.

"Oh, hey, let me talk to him," Damon said jumping up.

"All right. Yeah," Henry said handing the phone to Damon who just let it keep ringing. "Are you gonna answer that?" Henry asked.

"Am I gonna, answer that?" Damon asked Ric, who shook his head to say no.

"What's going on?" Henry asked. "Brenna?" he asked, turning to her, but Brea just stared at him guiltily. Henry defensively vamped out and lunged across the table at Ric. Brea jumped up in alarm and Damon grabbed ahold of Henry before he could get to Ric, and spun him around allowing Ric to plunge a stake into his back as Brea screamed.

"Henry!" Brea yelled as she watched him die. "Why did you do that?" she yelled at Damon and Ric. "Why did you do that?" she screamed before storming past Damon and Ric, stopping in front of Henry's body. "No, Henry," she stuttered before glaring at Damon and Ric and storming out of the room.

"Let's not kill anyone tonight," Damon said mocking what Ric said earlier. "Your words. Just pointing that out."

"Find anything yet?" Damon asked Ric as the men searched the house for clues whilst Brea sulked on the couch.

"No, I looked everywhere. The place is clean," Ric replied throwing his arms in the air before taking a seat on the coffee table next to Brea.

"Well I found this behind the blood in the fridge," Damon said throwing Ric a beer before coming to stand above Henry's body.

"Oh man, this was a real dead-end," Ric lamented.

"I wouldn't beat myself up over it, man," Damon comforted. "What did you think you were gonna find, huh? Isobel with a cigar and slippers," Brea glared at this but Ric just burst into laughter.

"Oh man, I gotta stop this. I can't - I can't keep searching for her."

"Really? After only 2 years? That's actually moderately healthy," Damon said thinking of Katherine.

"What are you going on? 146?"

"Well, I figure the 200 mark is probably a good stopping point," Damon said with a smirk making Brea look away guiltily, knowing that her sister didn't feel the same way for Damon as he felt for her.

"I mean, no answer is enough. I keep thinking I want to know why, when, you know, the precise moment when my wife decided life with me wasn't enough," Ric said sadly as Brea looked over at him.

"She charmed me, your wife Isobel. She talked a good game man. She was smart. She had this excitement in her eyes. I probably should have known there was something different about her, some tie to Katherine," Damon reminisced as Brea listened with interest. "There had to be some reason I didn't kill her."

"You don't have to kill everyone you know," Brea snapped angrily.

"That's enough Damon. I don't want to hear anymore. I just don't want to waste any more of my life searching for answers that I really don't want."

"Maybe you should take a page out of Ric's book huh, Damon?" Brea snarked.

"I'm through with Isobel. I… I'm done with all of this," he said walking off.

Brea went to follow but Damon caught her arm. "Hey, what's up with you grouchy? Why did you care so much about Henry here?" Damon said nodding his head to Henry's body.

"You really want to know?" she asked and Damon nodded. Brea sighed before explaining. "I've had dreams about him. Only snippets. But I think it's my fault he was a vampire. I remember he had a life ahead of him, a beautiful girlfriend named Olive. Katherine killed her. She thought Henry would be good for me, a distraction from my, uh, my, you know, the guy. She turned him so he could be with me, and distract me. I didn't want to be with him, because I… I love someone else. So he was turned into a vampire and then imprisoned for 150 years… all because my sister didn't want me to be lonely. And now he's dead Damon. Dead," she breathed.

As soon as Brea entered her room later that night she let out a gasp as she saw Anna sitting on her bed. "Oh my god Anna," she laughed. "What are you doing here?"

"Brenna?" she whimpered.

"Anna?" Brea said looking at her crying friend before running to her and leaning in front of her, brushing the hair from her face. "What's wrong? Are you ok? Anna? Hey! Talk to me."

"She's dead."

"Who! Who's dead?"

"My mother," she cried. "My mother's dead." As soon as Anna said this Brea froze, not knowing how to react.

"Your mother?" she asked and Anna nodded. Brea took a breath and sat down next to Anna, pulling her head onto her shoulder. "Anna I am… so sorry," she said hugging her, allowing the distraught girl to unload her emotions on her shoulder. "Stay here tonight ok? Just stay here," she said rubbing Anna's shoulder as she held her.

Chapter Text

EDITED SEP22

"Brea!" Elena snapped as the two sat in the Grill waiting for Isobel to show up.

"Yeah?" she asked snapping out of her daydreaming.

"Stop tapping your foot. You're making me nervous."

"But I am nervous," Brea tried to defend but Elena just glared. "I don't understand why we have to do this. I mean why can't we just call Isobel's bluff?" Brea asked nervously. Apparently, Isobel had shown up in town and told Ric that if she didn't get a meeting with the twins she'd go on a murder spree.

"We're not risking the town just because we don't want to see her," Elena explained with a sigh.

Brea just rolled her eyes and started tapping her ring against the table.

"Brea!" Elena said kicking her under the table.

"Ouch!"

"Stop tapping! First, your foot, now your ring, cut it out," she growled as Brea glared at her.

"Psychopath," she hissed under her breath.

Just as Brea pulled out her phone, Elena kicked her again, "I swear to god I'm going to kick you back in a second! I wasn't even doing anything that time," Brea started to tell her sister off but then looked up and saw Isobel standing over the table "Oh."

Isobel laid her coat out on the chair and sat down opposite the twins. "Hello Brenna, Elena," she greeted. "You look just like her. It's eerie," she said to Elena before facing Brea. "You, a century and a half away from Katherine, but from what I've observed of you, I see the similarities," Isobel noted making Brea's eyes widen.

"You've met Katherine," Elena interrupted shocked.

"She found me after I turned. Genetic curiosity, I suppose. She would be fascinated by you."

"Is that how you can walk in the day?" Elena asked gesturing to Isobel's necklace.

"Katherine helped me obtain it."

"Who's our father?"

"Not important. He was a teenage waste of space," Isobel answered.

"Bit rude," Brea muttered.

"A name would be nice," Elena snarked.

"It would, wouldn't it? You ask a lot of questions, Elena."

"Why did you compel that man to kill himself, right after he told me to stop looking for you?" Elena asked.

"Dramatic impact. Wish it would have been more effective."

"Human life means that little to you?"

"Means nothing to me. It's just part of being what I am."

"You were human once, not long ago," Brea spat disgusted. "How can you kill and not feel any guilt?"

"Not all of us are blessed like you are. You're the only one I've ever heard of blessed with that nifty little reincarnation spell. Must be amazing to lead a different life every 20 years, start fresh and find new families. Katherine always described it as a curse, but from where I'm sitting, it's an absolute bless-."

"Shut up!" Brea snarled with malice and Isobel immediately went quiet.

"In order to live forever, lives will be lost as a cost," Isobel preached.

"You don't have to kill to be a vampire," Elena said after looking at her fuming sister with concern. "We know other vampires. That's not true."

"You mean your boyfriend over there by the pool table? Stefan Salvatore. Why Stefan? Why didn't you go for Damon? Or do you enjoy them both like Katherine did?"

"Ew," Brea muttered.

"Why did you want to meet us?" Elena asked, reaching over for her sister's hand in the hope to calm her down. "It can't be to just catch up."

"Because I'm curious about you both. But the real reason is, I want what your uncle wants. Jonathan Gilbert's invention."

"How do you know our uncle?" Brea asked.

"I used to spend a lot of time here when I was younger," Isobel answered. "John had a crush on me for years. He was the first one that told me about vampires."

"So what made you want to be one?" Elena asked.

"It's a very long list of reasons, Elena. All of which I'm sure you've thought about," she said, making Elena immediately shake her head. "That was your first lie. It's inevitable. You're going to get old. Stefan won't. Your twin won't make it much longer, she'll die in a few years and live through her next 22 years in a new family without you. The only way to see her again and be with Stefan forever is to be a vampire. When you're human, forever doesn't last very long."

"I'm sorry, but I don't have what you're looking for," Elena snarled, glossing over Isobel's words.

"We're leaving," Brea said, glaring at Isobel.

As Elena and Brea stood up to leave, Isobel grabbed Elena's arm tightly. "Sit down and tell your boyfriend to walk away," she instructed Elena as Stefan started to move towards them. Elena slowly sat down and nodded at Stefan to back off.

Isobel hadn't released her hold on Elena's arm and Brea began fuming. "Let go of her arm, now!" she snarled causing Isobel to immediately release Elena's arm.

Isobel smiled at the girls, "I want the invention."

"We don't have it," Brea reasoned.

"I know that. But Damon does. And you two are going to get it for me."

"He's not going to give it to us," Elena argued.

"Then the blood will be on your hands," Isobel said before she stood up. "It was nice meeting you Brenna, Elena," she smiled before leaving. Elena sat at the table crying, but Brea was angry, she stormed out of the Grill, not waiting for anyone.

"Elena! Brea!" Jeremy yelled at school the next day.

"Jer!" Brea called back with a wide smile, he'd been ignoring her the past few weeks so this was progress.

"Hey. Um… have you seen Stefan? I need to find him," Elena asked looking around preoccupiedly.

"No, not lately. Listen. Um, you have a second?" Jeremy asked as he noticed Elena wasn't listening.

"I have many seconds for you dear brother, even though you haven't for me lately," Brea smiled, but he didn't give her any reaction.

"Um, yeah. What's up? What's going on?" Elena asked, still searching around for Stefan.

"Well, it's Anna. I left her all these messages, and she hasn't gotten back to me. Not even a text." As soon as Jeremy said Anna, Elena and Brea froze.

"Anna? I didn't know that you guys were still friends," Elena asked in concern.

"We're more than friends," Jeremy responded, making Brea's eyebrows raise. "Look, something could be seriously wrong. And if you know anything, you gotta tell me."

"I haven't talked to her, Jer," Elena answered, while Brea stayed silent.

"Are you lying to me right now?"

"Why would you say that?" Elena asked in shock.

"Cause that's what you do Elena. You and Brea lie. You lie about everything," he said getting in Elena's face.

"I don't lie," Brea protested. "I misappropriate the truth, that's different."

"Just save it ok," Jeremy snapped. "I know what Anna is. And I know that you know. I also know about Brea," Jeremy's face softened and he looked at Brea as her mouth fell open. "So tell me, please Brea, you're her friend, do you have any idea where she is?"

"I don't know where she is Jer," Brea stuttered in shock. "I haven't seen her since two nights ago. I swear Jer. She…" before Brea could say anything else Jeremy stormed off.

"But, Jer. Jeremy wait! Jeremy!" Elena called after him, but he just kept walking. Elena turned around to face Brea and gasped, and quickly reached out and pulled Brea towards her. "Isobel," she sneered.

"What are you doing here?" Brea snapped.

"I'm your mother. I want to be more involved in your lives."

"Thanks but no thanks," Brea retorted with a fake smile.

"We don't want you in our lives," Elena agreed.

"I understand that. You already have a lot of people that you care about. But I've been studying. Let's see if I got this right. There is the witchy best friend Bonnie. Gonna stay away from that one," Isobel laughed as she pointed out Bonnie, making Elena and Brea tense up. "Oh, sad little brother Jeremy. And there's Caroline, obnoxious Caroline…"

"Hey, she's not obnoxious, she's just assertive" Brea defended.

"Brenna's best friend from birth. I got all of my info from her, by the way. She had no idea who I was, and she wouldn't stop yapping."

"Dammit Caroline," Brea muttered.

"Ah," Isobel sighed. "There's Tyler, Brenna's best friend. Oh," Isobel sighed. "There's Matt, friend to both, ex to one, yappy's future ex. Lots of connections there."

"Matt's not involved with this," Elena said angrily.

"He's involved with the both of you. Isn't he?"

"Look, you shouldn't be here," Elena pleaded. "You need to leave."

"No. I have some friends here too. Look. See that man over there standing next to Matt by the float? His name's Frank. He's very handsome. And he's also quite handy," Isobel said as Elena and Brea looked at her suspiciously out of the corner of their eyes. "He noticed that the axle was kind of rusted, which is very dangerous so all you have to do is apply a little bit of pressure, and-" Isobel said informing the girls of what was about to happen.

"No!" the girls screamed and tried to run to Matt as Frank jumped on the float making it fall down onto Matt's arm, causing him to scream in pain. Elena was held back by Isobel, but Brea was allowed to run forward to Matt.

"Hey, pick this trailer up! Come on, guys! Lift it up, please!" Matt screamed in pain.

"Tyler, help!" Brea screamed as she spotted him running, as she slid down next to Matt.

"Give me a hand!" Tyler screamed to the guys standing around. "Come on, lift," he ordered. All the boys were struggling and weren't able to lift it until Stefan came and added some of his vampire strength to help lift it. As soon as Matt's arm was free, Brea yanked it out as quickly as she could. As soon as she was sure Matt was out of harm's way she grabbed her phone and called 911.

"Caroline, call an ambulance," Stefan instructed as Caroline reached Matt's side.

"Ok," she breathed in shock.

"It's ok, I'm on it," Brea assured a shocked Caroline.

"Jeremy?" Brea heard Elena yell out and immediately spun her head around. "Jeremy!" Elena screamed.

Brea threw her phone to Caroline to finish calling the ambulance and Brea got up and ran to Elena. "She has Jeremy! Brea, she has Jeremy!" Elena screamed.

Elena and Brea walked into the middle of the town square at 9 o clock, ready to meet Isobel. Elena had managed to convince Damon to hand over the device, on the condition that Bonnie remove the spell.

The girls felt a breeze and spun around to see Isobel standing there. "Where's the device?" she asked.

"Where's our brother?" Brea spat.

"This isn't a negotiation. Where's the invention?"

"Where is our brother?" Elena snapped.

"Do you really think that I came alone?" Isobel threatened and two of her henchmen walked out behind the girls.

"Do you really think we came alone?" Elena smirked in response and Damon and Stefan stepped out behind Isobel.

"Where is our brother?" Brea snarled.

"For god's sake, call home," Isobel huffed.

"What?" Elena asked confused.

"Call home, ask to speak to your brother Jeremy."

Brea whipped her phone out and dialled, and Elena pressed her head up against the other side of the phone to listen in. "Hello?" Jeremy answered.

"Jeremy?" Brea breathed. "Oh my god, Jer! Are you ok?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Uncle John hit his head. It was an accident. But I'm ok," Jeremy confirmed.

"We'll be home soon, all right?" Brea said with a big smile on her face.

"Yeah," he said hanging up.

"You were never going to hurt him," Elena guessed.

"No. I was going to kill him," Isobel smirked. "Don't look for any redeeming qualities in me. I don't have any."

"You took a risk with Damon," Brea noted.

"Yeah, how did you know he was going to give it to us?" Elena asked.

"Because he's in love with you Elena," Isobel smirked and the girls frowned. "And if that didn't work, I'm sure you've already worked out how much he cares for your sister." Isobel then stuck her hand out and Elena walked forward, pulling Brea with her.

"Thank you," Elena spat as she slammed the device into Isobel's hand.

"For what?"

"For being such a monumental disappointment. Keeps the memory of our real mother, perfectly intact."

"You have no one, Isobel. No one. You're all alone. And you've done that to yourself," Brea said, shaking her head in disgust.

"Goodbye, Elena. As long as you have a Salvatore on each arm, you're doomed. Katherine was smart. She got out. But we all know that you're not Katherine," Isobel smirked. "Goodbye Brenna, have a nice 5 years," she taunted before walking away. Elena and Brea looked after her upset, Stefan then walked forward and embraced Elena, as Brea kept an eye on Damon suspiciously.

"Jeremy, we have to talk about this," Elena said as the twins entered his room.

"No, we really don't," he said not looking at them.

"I don't know what Anna told you, but there are things that you need to know," Elena tried to reason.

"Yeah? Because… I'm pretty sure that your journal covered it."

"You read my journal?" Elena asked angrily.

"Sly little devil," Brea smirked and then hissed quietly to Elena, "I told you writing everything down was dangerous."

"Save me the speech about the invasion of privacy, because I read a section about Damon erasing my memory, about what happened to Vicki."

Brea tensed up at this, knowing it was well within his rights to be mad, but Elena kept pressing. "Jeremy, please, you don't understand. The night that Vicki died, it was like mom and dad died all over again. It was all over your face. And it hurt so much to see you like that. I just wanted to take away your pain, I'm so sorry," she pleaded.

"Just get out," he snapped.

"No Jeremy-"

"Elena! Just get out. You too Brenna, please," he snapped, and Brea began to tear up. He only called her Brenna when he was irate at her or teasing her. This situation was very much the former. Elena nodded before turning and leaving.

"Jer…" Brea whispered.

"Out."

"Anna. Her mom died, and she has no family left. She's devastated. But she was here the other night, talking to me. She's fine. Don't worry." Jeremy just nodded and turned away and Brea turned to leave the room. "Just let me know if you hear from her."

New Orleans, 1914

" Did you get it? Did you get the paragon diamond?" Brenna asked.

" I did. But then Niklaus took it from me," Kol replied.

" Well can't say that I am unhappy about that. Kol, he's your brother. If it seems as though he will dagger you again, we will simply run. There is no need to plot against him. It will only infuriate him further."

" He trapped my witches inside the mansion of Dowager Fauline!"

" He trapped them?" Brenna asked in shock.

" Yes, sweetheart. The bastard had his own witch lock them in. Forced me to hand over the diamond and then he trapped our allies in that house to rot!"

" Kol, you need to calm down."

" I can't!" he yelled throwing a lamp, causing Brenna to flinch. "I've spent centuries daggered. Finn's been daggered most of his life. I hardly get any time with you as it is. Then he goes and takes more time by daggering me whenever he pleases, just so he can get you all to himself," he raged.

" Kol, you know that's not why he daggers you," Brenna sighed.

"Right, he and Elijah dagger me because they can't handle the fact that I get a little unhinged every bloody time you die! That's just one of many reasons darling, trust me," he yelled.

"Kol, hey, hey," she said grabbing his face. "I love you. Only you. Always you. Don't worry."

Kol then grabbed her face and pulled her in for a kiss.  " God, you'll never know how much I love you," he whispered pressing his forehead on hers. She looked up into his eyes and smiled. "Darling, you're…"

" Shhh, I don't want to talk about it," she whispered.

" But darling…"

" It's fine. It's fine," she whispered shaking her head.

" No it's not," he said pulling his head off hers. "You're 21, darling. You've only got a few months. Mary-Alice Claire was the only witch I've found who was able to make any sort of progress to break this spell."

" It's alright," she said pulling him in for a kiss. "Kol, it's fine. You'll just have to miss me for a few years, but I have no doubt you'll find me. Katerina needs to keep her distance or Nik will know she's still alive, so it'll be just you and I. I love you," she said firmly before pulling him in for a hug.

"Where did you even get this dress?" Jenna asked Brea as she helped her do up her corsets.

Brea smirked, "Stefan gave it to me, it was an old family heirloom." The dress was in fact, one of Brea's from 1864 that Stefan had kept and returned to her.

"Oh yeah? And why did he give you a dress and not his girlfriend?" Jenna challenged.

Brea's eyes went wide, Jenna had made a good point. "Um, I beat him in a game of pool. Yeah, at the Grill. I wanted the dress. I won it. Fair and square," she sang as Elena gave her a disbelieving frown at the thought that Brea could beat Stefan in a game of pool.

"Stefan must really be terrible at pool if you beat him," Jenna snorted and Elena gave Brea a smug look.

"This dress hurts," Elena moaned.

"Humph. Suck it in, baby," Jenna smirked before she walked away to grab a hair clip.

"I had to put up with this for centuries, quit whining," Brea teased.

"Yeah well… you don't even remember most of it," Elena smirked.

"Yeah, but Lena," Brea said turning serious. "Corset pain haunts my dreams."

Elena just rolled her eyes and looked back towards the mirror. "You're incorrigible."

"Do you see Stefan?" Elena asked as they walked through the school parking lot.

"Um, no," Brea said.

"You didn't even look," Elena laughed pushing her shoulder as the girls giggled. When the girls turned around, they caught sight of both Salvatore brothers staring at them.

"When you see the gentleman you curtsy, Elena," Brea nudged her twin. Elena smirked back and they then turned their gaze to the boys before curtsying. The girls then stood up straight and walked towards the Salvatores. "Oh my god, Stefan! Is that vintage?" Brea mocked with a fake gasp. "I'm talking about your face, you know, you're like 160 years old," she winked, making him smile.

"Well, I'll leave you three to it, Stefan has some big news," Damon said before walking off.

"He's been weird since the day I met him. Are you sure you two are related? You're much more stable than that nutcase," Brea joked turning to face Stefan, but her smile faded when she looked at Stefan's serious face.

"What is he talking about?" Elena asked.

"Damon, he, uh, thinks he worked out who your biological father is," Stefan answered hesitantly.

"Well, he can't be any worse than our biological mother right?" Brea giggled nervously before quickly falling silent when Elena turned to glare at her. "Or he could be worse, you never know, it's best not to jinx these things," Brea rushed. "So Stefan! Spill."

Stefan's face contorted and it was obvious he didn't want to tell them. "He thinks it's your uncle. John." Both Brea and Elena's eyebrows nearly left their faces they rose so high.

"John?" Elena asked in shock. "Is-is that even possible?"

"Well, there's no proof, but he dated Isobel when she was a teenager, and he was the one who brought her to your dad's office for the delivery."

"My whole life we've never liked this man," Elena gasped.

"Speak for yourself," Brea muttered and Elena turned to her, knowing she was lying. "I mean he's alright in small doses."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I just-I want to let you both know before Damon dropped it on you in some typically inappropriate way."

"No, I'm happy that you told us. I just… I really hope that it's not true," Elena sighed.

"I'm with you there, sis," Brea agreed. "I mean John, Isobel," Brea said weighing her hands up and down before dramatically dropping them. "Both monumental disappointments. Don't we deserve at least one win in the biological parent department? We got two wins in the adoptive parent part, but biological would be nice too. Or is that greedy?"

"What are we supposed to do?" Elena asked Stefan, cutting off Brea's rambling. "Do we just… confront him and say are you our biological father?"

Stefan shrugged, "I guess when you're both ready."

"We're never going to be ready."

"But, Lena, wouldn't it be better to know for sure rather than leave the mysterious cloud over our heads?" Brea asked.

Elena turned away with a frown as she thought it over. "Stefan, we have enough problems with the family that we actually care about. Jeremy hates us, and why wouldn't he?" Elena asked and Brea's head fell in genuine sadness. "My journal gave him every single reason to."

"He's just hurt. He's confused," Stefan tried to comfort.

"He'll never forgive us for Vicki, for taking away his memory, for lying to him."

"He's your brother. He'll forgive you both. Just give him some time."

"Oh, you think giving him space is the best tactic?" Brea asked Stefan and he nodded. "Crap," she groaned. "I'll see you guys later, I've got to get my money back from the marching band before they start serenading him."

"Lockwood come on!" Brea yelled as she spotted Tyler. "Your mom will kill us if we aren't in place on the float."

"You know I thought that me being your date to the Miss Mystic Falls pageant ended there. I never thought I'd end up being dragged on the float," Tyler grumbled.

"Come on man, it makes you look so cool!" Brea encouraged as she grabbed his hand and dragged him along.

"Liar."

"Come on, you'll be standing next to one of the hottest girls in Mystic Falls," Brea smirked.

"Yeah, Elena is pretty hot," Tyler teased as Brea's mouth fell open in shock.

"You ass," she said shoving his shoulder.

"I missed this," Tyler smiled as they made their way onto the float.

"What?"

"Us. You've been ignoring me pretty hard because of Matt."

"Well, he is my best friend," Brea said looking up at Matt, who gave Brea a big wave as he stood next to Caroline. "See?" she gestured as she enthusiastically waved back. "That's our friendship wave."

"That's just a normal wave, Brea," he rolled his eyes.

"Just be quiet and wave to the crowd like a good escort," Brea encouraged as she began waving.

"Yo, yo," Brea said as she entered the Grill and saw Elena talking with Damon.

"Ouch, rejected," Damon smirked as Elena walked off, not having seen Brea.

"Well that hurt," Brea huffed. "She was always the rude twin. I've been saying it for years. Oh Jer," Brea smiled when she looked over at Elena and saw her talking to Jeremy. Before Brea could walk over, Jeremy had stood up and walked away.

"I'll catch up with you later," Damon said before quickly storming off after Jeremy.

"Well no one wants to hang out with me today," Brea muttered. "What did he say?" Brea asked Elena as she walked up to her.

"He said nothing," Elena said throwing her hands up in the air. "He said there's nothing we can do to make it better," she said sadly.

"I could rehire the marching band?" Brea suggested and Elena just glared. "I'm going to take that as a maybe."

"Jer!" Brea yelled as she spotted Jeremy in the Grill.

"Go away, Brea," he groaned as he tried to walk away.

"Wait, wait," she said grabbing his arm. "I just wanted to know if you'd heard from Anna."

"Yeah, a bit. Not much. She wants to leave town."

"Wait, what? Leave town?" she asked and Jeremy just nodded and walked off.

"Brea!" the mayor called out, running up to her and grabbing her arm. "I need you to go with Tyler, he'll take you back to our place."

"I'm sorry?" Brea asked confused.

"I need you to trust me."

"I'm sorry Mayor Lockwood. I have to wait for Jer."

"Brea, you've got to get out of here," he said moving closer to her in desperation, making her tilt her head confused.

"I'll go home, ok? I'll just go find my brother first." The mayor nodded content before walking off. Not a second later, she saw Anna storm into the Grill and in the direction of the bathrooms, where Jeremy had just gone. Brea decided to give them a bit of privacy for a while before Brea made her way towards the bathroom after a few minutes. Brea burst into the men's room, interrupting Jeremy and Anna's conversation. "Hey, Anna. I'm sorry. I gave you guys time to talk. I'm sorry, I know it's selfish, but… please don't leave without saying goodbye," she said with a small smile.

"Brenna, I…" Anna started before she started screaming and clutching her head.

"Anna! What's wrong?" Jeremy asked confused as the girl screamed as he and Brea supported her weight. "Brea?"

"I don't know! I don't know!" Brea panicked.

"Please make it stop," Anna begged.

"What the hell is happening?" Jeremy asked confused, as he held Anna to him.

"Ahh! My head! Dammit!" Anna cried.

"Hey, I got one!" an officer yelled into his speaker as he stormed into the bathroom. Another officer came in to assist, and Anna was yanked from Jeremy's arms and thrown to the officers.

"Hey! What are you doing" Jeremy demanded as the officer injected Anna with some liquid, making her pass out.

"Let her go!" Brea screamed as she lunged at the officer. He shoved her to fend her off, and she smashed her head against the wall and slumped down on the floor.

"Crap!" the officer gasped. "We better bring her as well, get her out of sight for now until it's over," he told his partner as he hauled Brea up from the ground.

"No! Let them go!" Jeremy screamed as he fought against the other officers' hold as the girls were dragged out of the room.

As they approached Brea's dad's old medical building, Brea's head started to clear and she groaned in pain. Brea took a look down at her ring and saw that it wasn't glowing, at least she wasn't in danger. The officer dragging both her and Anna entered her father's old building and placed Brea on a couch before carrying Anna down to the basement. She heard footsteps on the stairs and looked up to see her uncle John. "John?" she mumbled weakly and he looked at her sadly before he walked down the stairs. Brea knew something bad was happening, she had to help Anna. So groggily, she pulled herself up and stumbled out of the building in search of Elena and Stefan. As Brea stumbled through the town, she spotted Ric run down the stairs next to the Grill and she followed after him.

"I saw about 5 vampires go down. They're taking them to your family's old building," she heard him say to Stefan and Elena.

"Guys," she called from the top of the stairs as she leaned against a wall. Ric immediately ran up to her and helped her down the stairs. "I was in there. They got Anna and I saw them carrying others."

"Oh my god your head," Elena gasped as she noticed a small amount of blood above her eyebrow.

"It's the Gilbert device. It has to be," Stefan said.

"But how did he get it to work?" Elena asked. "Bonnie unspelled it."

"Maybe she didn't," Ric suggested.

"She did," Elena argued. "We saw her do it."

"Clearly not," Brea said as she leant on Ric.

"No, no, no. They're right," Stefan said. "Think about it. We asked Bonnie to deactivate a device that could protect people against vampires."

"So we could protect you," Elena said putting a hand on his shoulder.

"And Damon. Vampires. Where is Damon?"

"I don't know. I haven't seen him since this started," Ric said

"Uncle John was there. He hates vampires, he knows Damon's one. He'll have him!"

"Can you get our brother?" Elena asked Ric. "Take him home?"

"Of course."

"Let's go," Elena said standing up, Brea went to follow.

"Woah, are you going to be ok?" Ric asked her as she tried to pull away from him.

Brea nodded, now feeling a bit stronger. "Look," Brea said raising her hand so he could see her ring, "I'm safe," she said running after Elena and Stefan.

"Wait, wait, wait," Stefan said halting the girls. "I can hear them. The building's on fire."

"What?" Elena asked.

"Building's on fire," Stefan said running.

"Where's Damon?" Elena demanded as they approached John.

"With the rest of them, where he should be. It's over for Damon."

"You're crazy," Elena said shaking her head.

"Why? Because I'm doing what should have been done 145 years ago?"

"He doesn't deserve to die," Brea snarled.

"This is the right thing. Go ahead," John dared Stefan. "You won't make it out. It'll save me the trouble of killing you myself."

"You both know the building well," Stefan said to the girls. "Is there another entrance in?"

"Utility door," Brea said.

"There's one around the side," Elena finished for Brea and Stefan ran off.

Elena and Brea went to follow but John grabbed them each by their arm, pulling them back. "Either of you takes one more step, and I'll alert those deputies that they missed a vampire."

"We're asking you not to," Elena snapped.

"That doesn't mean anything to me."

Brea frowned and took a gamble that Elena did as well, and with twin intuition, they both said to him, "as our father, it should."

John had a look of pure shock on his face which confirmed Damon's theory, and Elena and Brea's faces dropped at the realisation that their uncle John was, in fact, their father John. "You know."

Elena gulped and shook her head. "We weren't sure."

"Now we are," Brea said. Elena took one last look at him before running off after Stefan. Brea looked him in the eyes. "I saw them take Anna. Anna! I care about her, Jeremy cares about her! How could you do this," she said feeling betrayed.

"It was a sacrifice I had to make, for the good of the town. Those vampires wanted all the founding families dead, you in particular, because of Katherine. Their plan for tonight was to go after you. I couldn't let that happen. The mayor was meant to get you home."

"So you attack my friends in retaliation. Great fathering," Brea snapped running off after Elena. As she caught up to Elena, she saw Bonnie holding her sister back from running into the burning building. As she got closer she saw that Bonnie was chanting and Brea figured that she was helping Stefan get Damon out. After a minute Bonnie stopped chanting and spaced out.

"Bonnie?" Elena asked waving a hand in front of her face.

"Boo," Brea yelled at her as she stared blankly. Bonnie then started stumbling backwards. "Did I do that?" she asked, looking at Elena.

"No!" she snapped incredulously. "Bonnie, are they going to be ok?" Elena asked. Just as Elena asked that Stefan came out of the building with Damon around his shoulder. "Oh my god," Elena gasped running to Damon's other side.

Brea looked around and then tried to run into the building, but Bonnie grabbed her. "What are you doing? He's out."

"I have to get in there," Brea protested as she tugged.

"Why?"

"Anna! Anna's in there. She got taken in there with me. I have to help her."

"If you go in there you'll die."

"Well then I'll see you in 15 years," Brea yelled trying to rip her arm out of Bonnie's grip.

"Brenna," Damon coughed.

"What?" she snapped as she continued trying to pull away.

"Anna's dead."

At this Brea froze. "What?"

"John staked her before the fire started. I'm sorry, there was nothing I could do."

Brea then gave up and fell to the ground, Bonnie not able to catch her. Brea cried silent tears as she mourned her old friend.

Brea sat in silence at a table in the Grill, waiting for Elena to finish talking to Stefan. The fire was now out and the old wiring was being blamed. "Hey," Elena said walking over to Brea. "I'm going to run over to the school to pick up our dresses, our clothes, rest of our stuff." Brea nodded and Elena went to walk off, before coming back. "Come with me ok? Please. I don't want to leave you on your own when you're this sad."

"Ok," Brea whispered with a small smile before she stood up. Elena rubbed a hand down her arm in comfort before pulling her into a hug. "I... I mean, I may not remember it. But she was my friend for centuries," Brea whispered. "She was my friend now."

"I know," Elena comforted before pulling away. "Look, we may not understand how you are what you are just yet, but we will get answers ok. I promise. Brea, I'm not just going to let you die ok. Let's go. Grab our things," Elena said taking Brea's hand and leading them out of the Grill.

"How do we tell Jer?" Brea asked as they walked towards the house.

"I don't know, give me a minute. I'm going to call Stefan, tell him someone took my stuff," Elena said pulling out her phone.

"I'm glad they took your stuff and not mine though. This dress is from 1864, I do not want to lose it," Brea said trying to smile.

Elena smiled back before calling Stefan. "Hey," Elena said. "All my stuff at the school was gone, Stefan. I looked everywhere." "Yeah, someone definitely took my stuff." "We're just going to check on Jeremy before we go to the hospital," as Elena said this Brea sucked in a deep breath at the thought of her best friend, Caroline, lying in the hospital, close to death, and her other best friend, Tyler, who's dad just died. "Can you meet me there?" Elena asked. "Ok. I love you, Stefan," she said hanging up. Elena then opened the front door and she and Brea stepped inside. "Jeremy? You up?" Elena called up the stairs, and no reply came.

Just as Brea went to head up the stairs to check on her brother, the twins heard pots clanging and a groan from the kitchen. "Oh my god, do you think we have a ghost?" Brea asked. Elena just rolled her eyes and huffed before walking towards the kitchen. However, what awaited them in the kitchen was a sight that would turn even the strongest of stomachs.

Chapter Text

EDITED SEP22

As Brea and Elena entered the kitchen they both froze and let out a loud gasp. They saw their uncle John, lying on the kitchen floor. Elena ran towards him but then froze as she got closer and got a better look at the scene. John's fingers had been cut off by a knife. Elena sucked in a deep breath and grabbed a rag, and wrapped it around John's hand to try to stem the bleeding.

"Ambulance," Brea stuttered from further back. Elena then leant forward and grabbed the home phone, and dialled for an ambulance.

"Hi, I need an ambulance to 2104 Maple Street," Elena hurriedly stuttered into the phone. As Elena was speaking Brea noticed John's eyes grow wide as he started staring in panic at the space behind Brea.

"Behind you," he groaned.

"What?" Brea asked, not hearing properly as she took a few more steps toward her injured uncle.

"Behind you!" John then said more forcefully. Elena and Brea then both got the message and with a loud gasp, turned around. As Brea spun around she slipped on blood and fell backwards, landing on Elena.

"Up, up, up," Elena groaned shoving Brea back up. Elena then snatched up the knife lying next to John and took her sister's hand as they walked through the house looking for the intruder. Brea heard something behind them so she spun them both around, making Elena gasp loudly. The girls then tentatively took a few steps forward. Out of the corner of Brea's eyes, she thought she saw Elena, which made no sense since she was holding Elena's hand. Just as soon as she saw it though, it disappeared and was replaced with the sound of the front door slamming. Both Elena and Brea yelped in shock and spun back around again.

"Jer!" Brea breathed to Elena, realising they didn't know if he'd been attacked as well as John.

"Jeremy!" Elena breathed in shock.

"Jeremy!" Brea screamed desperately as she broke away from her sister and sprinted up the stairs, Elena following not far behind. "Jeremy!" Brea screamed again as she reached his room. As soon as she reached his bedroom she screamed, he was still asleep despite the commotion that had occurred downstairs and that wasn't a good sign.

"Please, Jeremy, wake up!" Elena yelled as she threw herself onto the bed and began shaking him. Brea on the other hand slowly slid down the wall, tears falling down her face. Just as she was about to break down, Jeremy woke up with a sharp intake of breath.

Brea and Elena stood on the stairs watching John get carted away towards the ambulance. They were waiting for Stefan to come so he could evaluate Jeremy. Just as John was taken outside, Stefan arrived. As he tried to enter a police officer stopped him but Elena spoke up. "He's ok," she said and Stefan was allowed to enter the house before all three of them then ran up the stairs to Jeremy's room.

"What happened?" Stefan asked.

"He said that Anna gave him her blood," Elena explained. "And then he took these pills. And now, I mean, he looks fine, but then again so do you, so I just- I don't know," she said desperately as Jeremy stared at the ground.

"Come here. Look at me," Stefan said taking Jeremy's face.

"I'm fine, ok? I feel exactly the same," Jeremy snapped.

"Should I call a paramedic up here? What should I do?" Elena asked as Brea continued to stare at Jeremy, tears streaming down her face.

"No," Stefan answered still examining Jeremy. "He's fine," Stefan concluded.

"You mean I'm not a vampire?" Jeremy asked disappointedly. "Damn it."

"Don't say that," Brea snapped at their brother.

"Jeremy… why would you want that?" Elena asked confused.

"Did you hear about Anna, what happened to her tonight? Brea, did you see? You were with her," he asked Brea desperately. "She's dead."

"I know," Brea answered with tears. "Damon told me John killed her. Before the fire. Jer," Brea said through tears grabbing her brother's arm. "She didn't feel pain."

Stefan then moved forward, "Jeremy, Jeremy, come here, sit down," he said grabbing his face and pushing him to sit down on the bed. "I am very sorry about Anna," he said aggressively. "But it's very important that you listen to me right now. With every passing moment, Anna's blood is leaving your system. If you tried to kill yourself right now, you could really die. Hey!" Stefan said giving Jeremy a tap on the face. "Do you understand me?"

"Stefan," Elena protested.

"Get off him," Brea growled ripping Stefan's hands off of her brother's face causing Stefan to step back guiltily.

"Yeah. I understand," Jeremy grumbled.

"Good," Stefan said more calmly.

"What about the pills that he took?" Elena asked as Brea stared at Jeremy, silent tears still streaming down her face.

"He didn't take enough to die," Stefan answered. "So Anna's blood actually healed him of that."

"Miss Gilbert," a paramedic said from Jeremy's doorway.

"We'll be right there," Elena answered.

"You both need to be at the hospital," Stefan said to the girls.

"But…" Brea said looking at Jeremy.

"No, no, I'll stay here with Jeremy," Stefan offered.

"No, I don't need a babysitter," Jeremy protested.

"Shut up Jeremy," Brea snapped angrily.

"Yes, you do," Elena said sassily to their brother as he scowled.

"Come on Brea," Jeremy begged.

"Jeremy, please, shut up. I already lost Anna, I'm not losing you. Stefan stays," she said storming out.

"Bonnie," Elena said as they spotted her in the hospital hallway.

"How's Care?" Brea asked quickly.

"She's weak. They don't know if she's going to make it."

"Oh my god no," Brea said shakily as she started to hyperventilate.

"What?" Elena exclaimed in shock as well. Bonnie just gave the twins sad looks and pulled them both into a deep hug. "Is there something you can do? Like a spell or something?" Bonnie just shook her head sadly.

"Please Bon," Brea said crying.

"She doesn't know how," Damon interrupted as he sauntered forward. "Do you?"

"No, I don't," Bonnie answered begrudgingly.

"No, you don't. Because it took Emily years to learn a spell like that."

"Oh, well, I can take down a vampire. That spell was easy to learn."

"Can you two shut up please?" Brea said as she pushed her hair back in stress.

"I can give Caroline some blood," Damon offered.

"No. No way," Elena protested.

"No, just enough to heal her. She'll be safe in the hospital, and it'll be out of her system in a day. She'll be better Elena," Damon said.

"It's too risky. I can't agree to that."

"Do it," Brea said. "Do it."

Bonnie nodded and said, "I agree, do it."

"Elena she'll die otherwise," Brea pleaded.

"This is Caroline, ok? We can't let her die," Bonnie argued. "Do it."

"If I do this, you and me, call a truce," Damon suggested to Bonnie.

"No. But you'll do it anyway. For Elena and Brea," Elena gave Bonnie a funny look, but Brea understood. Elena then looked at Damon and nodded, agreeing for Caroline's life to be saved. Bonnie smiled and walked off.

"Um, all right, I know this is probably the last thing you want to do right now, but Elena, you and I should talk about what happened tonight," he then looked at Brea. "Alone."

"Why do I have to leave?" Brea asked offended. "I was there."

"What? No, you weren't," he scoffed with an eye roll.

"Yeah, I was," she argued. "You weren't. I was."

"What are you talking about?" he groaned.

"One of the tomb vampires got into the house and almost killed John!" Elena informed him.

"Yeah, see I was there," Brea smirked.

"What? What - when?" Damon asked confused. "What are you talking about? After I left?"

"When were you over?" Brea asked confusedly.

"You were there?" Elena asked also confused.

"Come on, Elena, you know I was." Brea and Elena then shared very confused looks, they hadn't seen Damon since they left him at their dad's old building.

"When were you at the house?" Elena asked again.

"Really?" Damon asked irritated.

Brea snorted. "Damon I don't know when you were there, but we most certainly didn't see you."

"Earlier," Damon tried to explain to Elena. "On the porch. We were talking, all cathartic, feelings exposed."

"I didn't see him on the porch," Brea whispered to her sister.

"Neither," Elena huffed.

"Come on, we kissed, Elena."

"What!" Brea yelled before slapping her hands over her mouth as people stopped to stare at her. "Dude, what drugs are you on?"

"Ok… I don't have time for this, Damon," Elena huffed irritated.

"Hey. If you want to forget it happened, fine. But I can't," Damon whispered to Elena as Brea's eyes went wide.

"Elena! Brea!" Jenna called from behind the girls. "I came as soon as I got your message," she said whilst sending a glare Damon's way. "How is John?"

"Where have you been Miss Sommers?" Brea asked putting her hands on her hips.

"At the fire department. I had to fill out a report," Jenna answered annoyed. "I told Elena, she said she'd tell you," Jenna said with a glare at Elena.

"No, you didn't," Elena defended.

"Yeah Jenna, your story has a few holes. I've been with Elena the whole night," Brea smirked.

"Yes I did," Jenna said to the girls irritated.

"No, Jenna, you didn't," Elena pushed.

"Yes I did," Jenna said seriously, causing Brea to tilt her head as a light bulb went off. Maybe the familiar figure she saw earlier wasn't just her imagination… she turned to look at Damon, who seemed to have come to the same realisation.

"Ohhh," he sighed. "Mmm, you gotta be kidding me." Damon then looked at the girls and then walked off.

"Damon!" Brea called running after him.

"Get your sister, we gotta go," he said as he kept walking. Brea nodded and turned back to get her sister.

Elena, Brea and Damon walked from the car to the front door of the Gilbert house. Elena started unlocking the door as they heard a loud grunt from inside. Elena turned and gave the others a confused look before opening the door. Inside they saw Stefan lying on the floor groaning. Brea looked around rapidly but saw no one else. "Stefan?" Elena asked confused.

"Elena," he answered.

"Who beat you up?" Brea asked as she looked around the empty room.

"What happened?" Elena asked.

Brea realised what had happened and began to smile to herself as Damon answered. "Katherine happened." Elena's eyes then widened and she ran to Stefan to hug him.

"She's back," Brea breathed in disbelief.

"Did she say what she wanted?" Damon asked as they moved into the kitchen later.

"No," Stefan said pacing.

"Woman certainly knows how to make an entrance," Damon smirked.

"She said she fooled one of us at least, what does that mean?" Stefan asked Damon.

"She pretended to be Elena, too, when I showed up earlier tonight."

"I told Jeremy. I can't lie to him anymore," Elena said as she came into the kitchen, Brea hadn't wanted to see him, she was still angry at the fact he tried to turn himself into a vampire.

"You alright?" Stefan asked.

"No I'm not all right," Elena huffed. "I thought that with all the tomb vampires gone, things would get better."

"I know," Stefan sympathised. "We all did."

"Katherine was in this house. That means that she's been invited in. What are we going to do?"

"Move," Damon snarked.

"Very helpful. Thank you," Elena snarked back.

"Katherine wants you dead, there's zero you can do about it, you would be dead. But you're not. So clearly she has other plans."

"He's right," Brea agreed. "She is ruthless and you're still alive. Maybe she's just here to visit the historical sites?" Brea suggested.

"What like you?"

"Stop calling me old, Damon!" Brea snapped.

"We're getting off track," Stefan interjected. "We need to find out what those other plans are and not provoke her in the process," he said with a look at Damon. "What happened tonight when you thought she was Elena?" Stefan asked.

Brea remembered what Damon said at the hospital and sniggered. This should be interesting.

"To risk another frown line encroaching on a very crowded forehead," Damon said with a shrug. "We kissed."

"And you thought it was me?" Elena asked in disbelief.

"What do you mean, you kissed?" Stefan asked angrily.

"Well, you know, when two lips pucker and they," he said as he made kissing noises. Stefan then charged at him and Damon zipped away to stand next to Brea and Elena. "Don't be obvious Stefan," he mocked.

"Stefan, wait, he kissed Katherine," Elena said standing in between the two vampires. "Not me. I wouldn't do that," she said with a look at Damon. "We don't have time for this, guys."

"Later," Stefan warned Damon.

"And not here," Brea warned. "Beat up your own house. I like our furniture. Yours is a little kitschy," Brea said trying to lighten the mood.

"John must know something," Elena said trying to move on. "There has to be a reason why Katherine tried to kill him."

"She's Katherine," Damon argued, but you could tell he was still hurt from Elena's rejection. "She loves to play games, and you're fooling yourself if you think you're going to find out what she's up to before she wants you to know. The only one who has a chance of knowing is that one right there," Damon said pointing at Brea and her eyes widened. "But you're not going anywhere near Katherine alone."

"No, actually, Elena's right. John could know something through Isobel," Stefan disagreed. "Your mother was in touch with Katherine, so maybe we can go to the hospital and talk."

"Good plan Stef," Brea agreed before turning to Damon. "Why can't I go near Katherine?" Brea asked.

"Because we don't know what her plan is, and I'm not about to let you get hurt by whatever scheme the bitch is running. Anyway, I got a better idea," Damon answered.

"What's that?" Elena asked.

"I'm just going to ignore the bitch," Damon suggested. "See ya," he said as he got ready to leave.

"Don't call her a bitch," Brea glared after him.

"Is that smart?" Elena called out to him.

"If Katherine thinks she's being ignored it'll lure her out. She'll make a move," Damon shrugged.

Brea shrugged. "He's right there. She does love attention. But is that the smartest way to handle her?"

"Yeah? Then what?" Stefan also challenged.

"Stake her, rip her head off. Something poetic. We'll see," he said walking off.

"Hey!" Brea yelled storming after him. "Hey!" she yelled yanking his arm. "You are not killing her."

Damon tugged his arm back. "That bitch deserves it."

"I know you hate her. She has done some pretty bad things and leading you on for 145 years is definitely up there. But you are not going to hurt my sister."

"In case you've forgotten, your sister is in that kitchen, right there. And Katherine is a threat to her."

"You are not going to hurt Katherine," Brea snapped before storming upstairs.

"Let's not take too long ok?" Brea asked Stefan and Elena as they walked through the hospital. "I have to be at the wake for Ty. So we interrogate our uncle slash father, check in on Care, and then go to Lockwood's. No dilly-dallying."

"Sounds like a plan," Elena agreed as they approached John's room.

"Ready for this?" Stefan asked and they nodded before the three of them stepped inside the room.

"John?" Elena asked. John opened his eyes and panicked as soon as he saw Elena. Which was understandable considering how he was attacked by her doppelganger. He went to grab the emergency button but Stefan stopped him, taking the remote away from him.

"I'm Elena, I'm not… I'm not Katherine," she explained.

"We know she did this to you," Stefan said.

"We need to know why," Brea said softly. She had been so angry when she walked into the room, but seeing him so scared and weak made her feel almost bad for the man.

"Where is she?" John asked Brea who shrugged.

"You tell us," Stefan challenged.

"I don't know."

John then went to sit up and groaned in pain. "You're a little too weak to play tough guy, why don't you just sit back, and answer a few questions," Stefan said pushing him back down harshly.

Elena took John's uninjured hand and put his Gilbert ring in it. "Please," she begged, holding his hand. Brea rolled her eyes before placing her own hand in his as well.

"Tell us why she's here," Brea pushed.

"What does she want?" Elena followed up.

"She'll try again," Stefan warned. "We can't help you if you don't confide in us."

"In you?" John snarled.

"In your daughters, then."

"My daughters should have driven a stake through your heart by now. I haven't spoken with Katherine directly before last night when she attacked me. She never trusted me. So either kill me or get out. It's just a matter of time before she comes for me again. I can't stand the sight of you with my daughter," John sneered, directing the last part to Stefan.

"You see the world with such hatred? It's going to get you killed," Elena snapped storming out.

"Why is she trying to kill you? You have to know that," Brea begged.

"You," he answered softly. "She knew the tomb vampires were going to go after you, I was meant to get you out of town, but there wasn't time," he stuttered. "It was my punishment."

Brea just nodded before storming out without saying anything else. "Let's go see Care," Brea said to her sister once she caught up with her. "Carebear!" Brea yelled as they reached Caroline's room.

"Brea! Elena!" Caroline said excitedly.

"How are you?" Brea asked running to sit on her bed.

"So much better. Are you ok Elena?" Caroline asked her teary friend.

"I'm fine Care," Elena nodded. "I'm just so glad you're ok."

"You really gave me a scare Care," Brea said taking her best friend's hand. "Honestly, you've been telling me since I was six that you're going to outlive me. You have to stick to your promises Caroline," Brea jokingly warned and Caroline laughed. Brea huffed, "I'm so sorry Care, but we can't stay."

"No I get it, Tylers dad's wake is today," she said with a sad smile.

"Yeah, I have to be there for him. We gotta swing by home and pick up Jenna and Jer first though." Brea leant forward and kissed Caroline on the cheek. "Call me tonight though. We'll talk for hours, I promise. Just like we used to. Bye Care," Brea said leaving the room, allowing Elena to have a moment to say bye.

"Hey. We just have to swing by home and pick up Jenna and Jeremy so we can go to the Lockwoods," Elena said to Stefan as they met him outside. "How did you leave it in there with John?"

"I, uh… I asked him to leave town," he said and Brea snorted.

"Asked?" Elena questioned in disbelief.

"You threatened him," Brea surmised.

"Yeah, I threatened him," Stefan admitted.

"Good," Elena admitted. "I want him gone, Stefan. I know that I shouldn't feel that way, but I don't want someone like that in our life. Or Jeremy's life"

"He's so consumed with hate. It's deadly," Brea agreed. "He's already killed Anna and Tyler's dad, who knows who else would get hurt if he stayed."

"I know, I know," Stefan comforted the girls.

"So what now?" Elena asked as she went to hug Stefan.

"Now, I feel like the third wheel," Brea joked causing them to pull apart.

"Now, I need to find Damon," Stefan told the girls.

"Please, Stefan, don't fight with him," Elena begged.

"No, Elena, he tried to kiss you. I'm not ok with that."

"That's not the problem. Katherine is," Elena disagreed. "She's already messing with both of your heads, and Damon's not stable when it comes to her. The last thing we need is to make things worse."

"Come on Stefan. She's playing you, don't fall into the trap," Brea cautioned.

"Looks like the whole town turned out," Jenna noted as they walked towards the front door of the Lockwoods.

"Yeah well he is… was the mayor," Elena pointed out.

"Why don't they save it for the funeral?" Jeremy asked and Brea shot him a look.

"It's what people do," Jenna explained. "The Lockwoods were there for us when we went through this. It'll be quick. We'll drop off the food and pay our respects and go."

"In and out? Sounds like a plan," Jeremy agreed.

"I might hang around," Brea said. "I mean it is Tyler," she explained and Jenna nodded.

"You guys go ahead. I'll, um, I'll be right there, ok?" Elena said staring at Damon. Jenna nodded whilst glaring at Damon and they walked inside.

"You'll never guess it Brea, but I caught them making out on the porch last night," Jenna told Brea.

"Urgh, I know Elena told me," Brea said trying to make up a cover story. "I think she hit her head. She fell getting off the float."

"She did?" Jenna asked in disbelief.

"I know right? So not your typical, poised Elena. I think there may have been some uh, consumption of a certain drink before we went on the float. Really messed her head up."

"Well, now I know you're lying," Jenna laughed. "I spoke to her after the parade and she definitely wasn't drunk."

"I am not lying! I am the angel twin. The golden child. Elena is the rebel and Jer is well… Jer. You're lucky to have me. I think you take me for granted sometimes," Brea joked.

"Go away," Jenna laughed before walking off.

"Yo, dude, where's the bathroom?" Jeremy asked coming up to Brea.

"Did you just call me dude?" she smiled. "Why are you asking me?"

"This is like your second house, come on, it's too big and I have to pee."

"Fine, let's go," Brea said taking Jeremy's hand. "Oh hi, Bonnie!" Brea waved as they walked past her, but she quickly spun around and she noticed Bonnie's terrified eyes.

"Come on!" Jeremy said as Brea stopped walking and he dragged her away. "Where are we going? Across state?" Jeremy asked as they'd be walking for a minute.

"I have a favourite bathroom," Brea shrugged. "They always put the nicest flowers in that one."

"See I'm not necessarily looking for the nicest Brea, I was just looking for the closest," Jeremy said as Brea tugged him along. She looked into the mayor's old study only to stop when they saw Tyler sitting on the couch with a flask. Brea then quickly pulled Jeremy in and he stuttered "Oh, hey, sorry. We were just looking for the, uh…"

"Bathroom's down the hall," Tyler told him dismissively.

Brea walked into the room and sat on the couch next to Tyler and Jeremy awkwardly walked further into the room. "Hey, look, I'm - I'm sorry about your dad."

Tyler nodded as he placed a hand on Brea's knee before saying. "Today's been a big day of sorry's from people who really don't give a crap." Brea then silently grabbed a hold of Tyler's hand in comfort.

"I remember when our dad died," Jeremy said. "We had a house full of strangers telling me what a great guy he was. Anyway, I know how hard all this is."

"Difference is, in you guy's case, it was true. My dad was a dick. Your dad used to patch me up when my dad beat me around a bit too much," Tyler said to Jeremy before taking a swig of the flask. He handed it to Brea and she took a quick drink and handed it back.

"Yeah, yeah, he was," Jeremy agreed, causing Tyler to stare at him.

"I found this in his desk," Tyler said in reference to the flask before holding it out for Jeremy.

"He would have killed you if he caught you with that," Brea said with a small smile causing Jeremy to hesitate.

Tyler smiled. "We won't mind now, he's dead."

"Yeah, you know what, sure, why not," Jeremy said taking the flask.

"Hey what's going on in here Tyler?" a man asked walking into the study. Jeremy's eyes went wide and he tried to hide the flask.

"Nothing, nothing," Tyler answered.

"You got somewhere else to be?" the man asked Jeremy, sticking his hand out for the flask. Jeremy jutted his thumb out to indicate he was going down the hall, before handing over the flask and hurrying out.

The man then sat down on the desk and Brea gasped. "Oh my god! Mason!" Brea squeaked.

"Brea?" he asked getting a better look at her. Brea laughed and got up and ran to hug Mason. Even though he hadn't been around in a while, when he was, he was more of an uncle to her than John ever would be. "Man I haven't seen you since you were 10."

"I missed you man, last Tyler told me, you were surfing in Florida," Brea smiled as she pulled away to get a proper look at him.

"Yeah," Mason said as he lifted the flask up to his lips and drank some, making both Brea and Tyler's eyes widen. Mason then handed it to Brea who took a drink and handed it to Tyler. "You know Brea, I think the last time I saw you, was that day you fell out of that tree."

"Oh my god yes, do you remember that Ty?" Brea laughed making Tyler laugh as well.

Mason laughed. "You were so determined to climb higher than Tyler here. You were the bravest kid I knew. Who knew that it would be a spider that would scare Miss Invincible Gilbert out of the tree. You're lucky I was there to catch you, kid, otherwise your face would not be looking so pretty right now." Brea laughed and then froze as she saw a flash of brown curly hair out of the corner of her eye. "Excuse me, gentlemen. I'll call you later Ty, let me know if you need anything. Catch ya soon Mason," she said before running out. She walked around the house searching for that familiar hair. After not being able to find her, she ran out to the gardens. As she was looking around she felt herself being picked up and she closed her eyes and screamed. By the time she opened her eyes, she was standing in the middle of the woods.

"Miss me?" a voice said from behind her.

Brea spun around and let out a gasp. "Oh my god, Katherine. I can't believe you're here!" she laughed.

"I've missed you, Brenna," Katherine smiled as she studied her eyes. "You really don't remember, do you? I was hoping that was just your idiot uncle making a mistake."

"What do you mean?" Brea asked.

"You always called me Katerina," Katherine said softly.

"I... I kind of remember that" Brea frowned. "Why don't I have my memories?"

"I don't want to give too much away," she smirked. "A friend of yours put a spell on you to suppress the memories. I suppose he thinks he's doing you a favour."

"John," Brea said smile falling. "Why did you attack him?"

Katherine immediately scowled. "His most important job was getting you out of town. He didn't, so he paid the price."

"Please don't keep going after him. Please, Katerina. He's still my uncle... father. Whatever. I don't want people getting hurt."

Katherine then pulled her into a hug that Brea awkwardly returned. "You don't know how hard it's been to watch your lives from the shadows sister. I've wanted so much to interfere and take you away."

"Why didn't you?" Brea asked and Katherine tilted her head as she released her.

Katherine frowned as she looked at Brea. "It's interesting. You know vaguely who I am. And you remember the Salvatores. I wonder why some memories slip through."

"I get memories in my dreams," Brea shrugged. "But only snippets. And I kind of just have a feeling about some other things, like I know something, I just can't pull the memory."

"Do you remember a time when we were both humans?"

"No," Brea answered and Katherine smiled.

"Here," Katherine said throwing Brea a set of keys.

"What are these for?" she asked looking at them.

"It's a present, an apology for my century-and-a-half-long absence."

Brea flipped them over and looked at the logo. "Katerina this is an Aston Martin. I can't accept this," she said holding the keys out.

"Don't worry, I didn't pay for it."

"That doesn't make me feel better," Brea frowned.

"Please," Katherine said, closing Brea's hands over the keys. "We've been apart for 145 years, it's the longest we've spent apart. Please. Take it. I missed you." Katherine's head then whipped around. "Quick take it," she said pushing Brea towards the car, which was hidden behind some trees. "I caused a scene at the Lockwood's, Damon is tracking me. Go, before he finds you. I'll see you later sister," Katherine said, hugging Brea, before disappearing. Brea huffed before getting in and starting the car and driving off.

"John left town," Jeremy said out of the blue to Brea as they watched Pulp Fiction on Brea's bed.

"Oh, thank god. I do not really want to see him again," Brea scowled.

"He's an ass," Jeremy scowled.

"Agreed," Brea said as she stuck her hand in the popcorn bowl.

"Well, let's hope he has the decency to stay away."

"Can only hope," Brea mumbled. Jeremy then turned his head to face the doorway, hearing a commotion in Elena's room. "What are you doing?" Brea asked as Jeremy stood up.

"There's something going on," he said.

"Wait, where are you going?" Brea grumbled as she got up and followed Jeremy to the doorway of Elena's room.

"Elena, what's going on in here?" Jeremy asked as he walked into the room., not liking the fact that Damon was in there.

"Nothing, Jeremy. It's ok. Just - just go back to your movie," she said snatching her hands out of Damon's, making Brea frown at his demeanour.

"No, it's not ok, Elena," Damon said staring at Jeremy. "He wants to be a vampire," Damon said. Damon then ran forward, grabbed Jeremy by the throat and slammed him against the wall.

Brea ran further into the room and tried to yank Damon off of her brother as Elena screamed, "no, Damon, stop it!"

"Let him go, you sociopath!" Brea yelled.

"You want to shut out the pain? It's the easiest thing in the world. The part of you that cares, just goes away! All you have to do is flip the switch and snap!" he said as he snapped Jeremy's neck.

As he did that, Brea let out a blood-curdling scream.

Elena yelled, "Damon! No!" Elena ran forward and caught Jeremy's body as it fell to the floor.

Brea collapsed next to his body, still screaming, not even bothering to notice Damon flee the room. "Jeremy! No! No! Jer! Jeremy!" she screamed and she kept screaming as she buried her head into his chest. Elena suddenly stopped crying and began laughing. "What are you doing?" Brea cried, looking up at her sister.

"Look, look," she said showing Brea Jeremy's hand. "He's wearing a ring, the ring, like Ric's. He's ok, he's ok," she laughed.

"Oh my god," Brea gasped, snatching his hand from Elena, before laughing as well. "Oh my god, he's going to be ok," she breathed. "Call Stefan," Brea said. Elena nodded and ran to call him. "Jer, oh my god," Brea sighed, burying her head into his dead chest. "Don't do that to me again," she whispered.

Elena was back next to Brea in less than a minute. "He'll be here soon," Elena said as she pulled Jeremy's head into her arms and Brea held his hand.

"He saw the ring, that's why he did it. He knew," Stefan's voice came from behind the girls. The girls had been in so much shock, they hadn't heard him enter.

"He didn't see the ring," Elena disagreed.

"Definitely didn't," Brea agreed with her sister.

"It's Katherine," Stefan tried to rationalise. "She got under his skin. She undid everything that was good about him."

"There is nothing good about him," Brea spat.

"There's not," Elena agreed. "Stefan, not anymore. He's decided what he wants. He doesn't want to feel, he wanted to be hated. It's just easier that way. He got his wish. I hate him, Stefan," Elena cried.

"I know," Stefan said coming to place a hand on Elena and Brea's shoulders.

"He's nothing to me," Brea cried angrily. "I wouldn't care if he got staked! I'd be happy. He tried to kill my brother! He's dead to me."

"I know," Stefan assured them. He then leant forward and kissed Elena's shoulder in comfort. Just after he did that, Jeremy gasped and sprung back to life.

"Is he ok, is he ok?" Elena asked desperately as Stefan grabbed his face and examined him.

"He's ok," Stefan answered.

"Oh my god," Brea sighed in relief. "You're ok!"

"Damon killed me," Jeremy said between deep breaths.

"It's ok, oh god," Elena said as she cradled Jeremy's head.

"You're ok!" Brea screamed once more in relief before throwing herself down on his chest and hugging him, which he returned as he kept gasping for air. "Don't do that to me ever again. God Jeremy," she cried.

"I'm ok, I'm ok," he said between breaths and he hugged Brea and rubbed her head.

Chapter Text

EDITED OCT22

"Brea, look some asshole parked in our driveway!" Jenna snapped angrily.

"No way!" Brea gasped as she jumped up from the couch to look out the window. "Oh, that car?" Brea asked as Jeremy came to stand next to her.

"Yeah," Jenna scowled, hands on hips. "I swear if I see who did it, I'm going to go full crazy on them."

"Um, I didn't tell you Jenna, but that's my car," Brea laughed nervously and Jenna just rolled her eyes. "No, I'm serious! I won a competition."

"What kind of competition?" Jenna asked sceptically.

"Poetry," Brea lied.

"No way!" Jenna clapped excitedly. "That is so cool! I have to head to school but when I get home I want to read it! Well done sweetie," she smiled as she kissed her niece's head and ran out the door.

"Poetry?" Jeremy laughed. He knew she'd gotten the car as a gift from Katherine.

"I know," she groaned. "Now I have to write a poem."

"You're an idiot," he laughed.

"Run, run, run, run," Brea said quickly as she ran up to Stefan and Jeremy, who were leaning against the lockers.

Stefan smiled, as if he knew what she meant, before continuing his chat with Jeremy. "Well, today we have a nice little distraction courtesy of slave driver Elena. Hello, Elena," Stefan said swinging an arm around Elena.

"I warned you," Brea said with a look at the boys. "Trust me though, she's nowhere near as bad as Caroline," Brea joked. "I called Caroline earlier to ask a question about tipping the workers and she said I should dye my hair blonde and walk into a brick wall. Because then I'd have an excuse for asking something so dumb. I still don't know the answer either."

"Hey. Um, do you…" Elena started to ask Jeremy.

"Yeah, yeah, I set up the goldfish toss, all 300 goldfish. It's gonna be epic," Jeremy said cutting off Elena with attitude before slamming his locker and walking off.

Brea turned to look at Elena only to see her staring at her. "What?" she asked

"Go."

"Where. Why?"

"Go with him."

"With Jeremy?"

"Yes obviously," Elena scowled. "He'll talk to you not me, so go."

"Ok, psychopath. Wow. If you two wanted to be alone, all you had to do was ask. Everyone is so mean to me today," Brea huffed as she walked off after her brother. "Yo, yo, you, yo," Brea sang to Jeremy as she caught up with him.

"Really? Scooby Doo?" Jeremy asked.

"It's best Jer. You know it."

"It's not the best. Bambi is," he countered.

"Oh my god, you're totally right. I can't believe I suggested otherwise," she gasped. "We should watch that tonight."

"Maybe. What are you following me for?"

"Elena wanted time alone with Stefan. So I got kicked out."

"I'm not surprised."

"Why?"

"You're annoying."

"Jer. You are like my only friend left here today. Don't abandon me, my friend," Brea said loudly. Jeremy's eyes went wide as people looked, making Brea laugh.

"What about Tyler? Go annoy him."

"He's out on a run with Mason. He invited me and I said not a chance. They'll be here tonight though."

"Why say no? Because you're too lazy?"

"No," she glared. "Caroline would actually murder me if I abandoned her carnival. Anyway, I have to prove to her I can do it. She said something on the phone about proving to people that I'm not just a pretty face. It's weird how she can be nice and so mean all at the same time. I mean usually, she's just mean. I'm worried she's switching tactics… oh my god I'm so not prepared for a change in tactic."

"Ok bye," Jeremy cut off before walking off.

"Jer!" Brea called out. "I love you!" she yelled. Jeremy spun around wide-eyed as people in the area giggled.

"Hey!" Brea greeted Mason who was watching Tyler compete in arm wrestling competitions.

"Hey, Brea! Where've you been? We looked for you earlier."

"Oh, hiding from my sister," Brea said with a nod.

"Sure, um, why?" Mason laughed.

"Oh well, I told Caroline I'd help organise the carnival, you know because she's still in the hospital from the crash. But then she was really mean to me, and as Elena's boyfriend so poetically put it, Elena is a slave driver. So I'm just avoiding everyone. Because then, whatever goes wrong with the carnival, I can tell Caroline it was Elena's fault."

"Sounds more complicated than it needs to be," Mason laughed. "You think I can take him?" Mason asked gesturing to Tyler.

"Oh yeah," Brea laughed. "For sure. I'll place a bet on that."

"$5?" Mason offered her.

"You're on."

"Hey Tyler," Mason said walking up to the table. "I bet I can take you."

"Bring it on surfer boy," Tyler teased as Brea came to stand right next to them.

"If I win you give Brea $5, you win she gives you $5," Mason explained.

"Sure, I always love taking money from Brea," Tyler smirked. The bell went off and Tyler's face became strained as he pushed against his uncle, but his uncle's face remained steady as he slammed Tyler's hand to the table.

"Is that it?" Mason asked Tyler jokingly.

"$5 please," Brea smiled holding her hand out.

Tyler just scowled as he dug into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. "All right, he's the champ. Who wants to go next?" he called out as he slapped $5 into Brea's hand.

"You can take anyone surfer boy," Brea encouraged shaking Mason's shoulders in encouragement.

"Stefan wants a go," Damon called out and Brea's smile immediately dropped into a scowl.

"Yeah, sure. I'll, uh, I'll give it a shot," Stefan said as he walked towards the table.

"Go, Stef," Tyler encouraged.

"Get him Stef," Damon called as he mocked Tyler causing Brea to give him a death glare.

"My brother over there thinks I can beat you," Stefan explained to Mason and Tyler scoffed.

"Your brother's wrong," Mason bantered.

"Oh confident surfer boy, I like it" Brea encouraged as she leaned on Tyler.

"That's gonna stick isn't it?" Mason asked.

"Of course," Brea nodded.

The bell then went and Mason and Stefan started wrestling. You could see on both of their faces they were putting in a lot of effort. Eventually, Stefan's hand hit the table as Mason won. "Whoo!" Tyler cheered lifting Brea up.

"Hey!" Brea whined. "I am not a doll," she laughed before looking at Stefan, confused as to how a vampire could lose to Mason. From the look on his face, he was confused as well as he walked back over to Damon. As Mason started his next fight, Brea kept an eye on the Salvatore's quickly walked away.

"You right?" Tyler asked after a few minutes.

"Of course," she said snapping out of it. "Surfer boy is smashing everyone! I'm up next!"

"Oh come on Brea, at least let him have a fair fight," Tyler laughed.

"Don't be a punk," Brea shoved him as she lined up opposite Mason. "Don't go easy."

"If you say so," he laughed as he gripped her hand. The bell went and he immediately slammed her hand into the table.

"Ah crap," she groaned shaking out her hand. "Again."

"Again?" Mason laughed.

"Yeah, I'm going to use two hands."

"Still won't win," Mason taunted as she grabbed a hold of his hand.

The bell went off and Brea pressed all her strength against his hand and his hand started to fall down. "Oh my god. Oh my god, I'm doing it! I'm doing it!" Brea squealed before Mason started to push against her and her hand went flying into the table. "Are you kidding me?" she glared. "Talk about false hope."

"If you came on the run with us it might help you build some muscle," Mason smirked.

"Yeah, no way, not a chance," Brea laughed.

"I mean come on how ridiculous right," Brea laughed with Tyler as they explored the carnival. "And she didn't even know. I mean I love her, she's so bright, but sometimes…" Brea said as she turned around, "Care!" she shouted as she ended up face to face with Caroline, who had her hands on her hips. "I thought you weren't getting out till tomorrow morning? Help me," she whispered to Tyler who smiled and flung an arm around her shoulder.

"I got out early. I wanted to see what you bozo's did to my carnival."

"Well, Elena did it all," Brea said quickly.

"It's actually really good. I'm impressed."

"Under my supervision of course. She's hopeless on her own you know," Brea recovered.

"Oh I know right, bless her and Bonnie. But they just don't have the same idea of fabulous that we do," Caroline laughed, her entire demeanour completely different from the girl's earlier phone call. This change made Brea laugh nervously, as she wondered if it was a trap.

Tyler sensing Brea's uneasiness cut in. "So Brea, ready for me to beat you in that wrestle we were planning?"

"Hmm?" Brea asked turning to him confused.

"Yeah from earlier, when you challenged me."

"I didn…"

"Ew wrestling," Caroline sneered, "I'm out. See ya later Brea," she said walking away.

"Oh, I see what you did there. You scared her away. Well done Tyler, very diabolical. I've got to go find Jer, so I'll see you tomorrow?" Brea smiled.

"See you, tomorrow kid," he ruffled her hair as she shoved him away with a growl.

"Where the hell have you been!" Elena yelled as she ran into Brea.

"Uh..."

"Doesn't matter. You didn't answer your phone!"

"Well yeah I'm ignoring Damon, so, duh."

"It was important. Brea! Caroline's a vampire."

"What!" Brea's eyes widened.

"She attacked Damon. She says Katherine turned her. He wants to kill her, so we have to find her before he does."

"Oh my god," Brea panicked.

"Stefan is looking inside the school, I'm going to take the parking lot, you look through the carnival. Splitting up gives us the best chance of finding her before Damon does. Go!" she yelled as she took off running.

Brea turned and began to run around the carnival looking for Caroline before she stopped and pulled out her phone. She dialled the number that had been left on the seat of her car yesterday and waited for her to pick it up.

"How are you enjoying the new car?" Katherine answered.

"What the hell have you done?" Brea snapped down the phone.

"Hmm, I think you're talking about your little neurotic friend Caroline."

"Yeah, I am. And she is only slightly neurotic!"

"Sure. Look, sweetie, you're memory isn't all there yet. But I have plans for your Caroline that will benefit both of us. Nothing personal, just try not to get her killed," Katherine said hanging up. As Brea removed the phone from her ear she growled in annoyance.

"Caroline!" she yelled and kept running around searching. As she got around the back of the school she ran into Elena and Stefan. "Oh hey," she said shocked to see them. "I've checked the whole carnival, I can't find her."

"There!" Stefan yelled and started running. Brea and Elena sprinted after him. Just as they arrived they saw Damon lifting up a stake behind Caroline, ready to kill her. Stefan zoomed off and snatched the stake from Damon, pushing him away from Caroline.

"Stefan!" Damon snapped.

Brea and Elena ran up to Caroline. Brea ran up and held Caroline's shoulders with her hands in comfort. Just as Caroline started to relax, she freaked out again, grabbing Brea and backing away from Elena. "Get away from me!" she yelled at Elena. "You killed me!"

"No, no, no, no, Caroline. That wasn't me," Elena tried to defend. "You know that. That was Katherine."

"No! Then why does she look like you?" Caroline asked shaking whilst Brea rubbed her arms trying to calm her down. "Why - why did she do this to me?" Caroline cried.

"Stefan!" Brea called.

"Stefan, we gotta get her inside," Elena finished.

"It's all right, Caroline," Stefan said keeping his eye on Damon as he moved back to Caroline. "Come with me."

"She will die. It's only a matter of time," Damon called out.

"Yeah, maybe so, but it's not going to happen tonight," Stefan retorted.

"Oh, yeah, it is," Damon said and zoomed at Caroline with the stake. Before he could get to Caroline, Elena threw herself in front of her. All 3 girls gasped as Damon stopped right in front of Elena, stake at the ready.

"Damon, she's our friend," Elena told him forcefully.

"If you touch her I swear to you. I will never forgive. Never is a long time for a vampire," Brea pleaded.

"Whatever happens, it's on you," Damon told the twins before slowly backing away.

"We've gotta get her cleaned up," Brea said stroking Caroline's hair.

"Caroline?" Bonnie said appearing from around the side of the school.

"It's ok. Come on," Stefan coaxed Caroline.

"Oh. You're not. You can't be," Bonnie said in shock. She then ran forward and grabbed Caroline's arm before releasing, as she came to the realisation that Caroline was no longer human.

"Bonnie, I - I," Caroline started in a terrified tone only to be met with Bonnie's shocked face.

"Oh god!" Bonnie exclaimed spotting a dead body.

"Bonnie," Caroline cried desperately.

"Just… go," Elena said pushing Caroline to go get cleaned up. Brea let her friend go and Caroline left with Stefan. Elena then walked over to Bonnie and looked over the body whilst Brea stared after Caroline.

"I can't believe this is happening," Bonnie muttered.

"You could have been a little nicer Bonnie," Brea snapped. "Caroline is in there absolutely terrified! She probably thinks you hate her."

"Don't pout about it," Damon smirked as he returned with a shovel. "We got a body to bury."

"Ass," Brea muttered.

"You should think of some new words Miss Pierce," Damon mocked before walking over to Elena and holding out the shovel for her. "Thought you were calling the shots," he mocked as she glared. "No? Hmm. Sucks to be you, buddy," he mused. He then collapsed to the ground screaming.

Brea and Elena both looked over to Bonnie and saw that she was the one hurting Damon. A hose then shot across the concrete and the water started flowing whilst Damon lay on the ground screaming. "I told you what would happen if anyone else got hurt," Bonnie explained.

"I didn't do this," Damon moaned.

"Bonnie, it wasn't his fault," Elena tried to reason.

"Everything that happens is his fault, Elena."

Elena then shot Brea a look, and Brea sighed. "She's right Bonnie. For once this wasn't his fault. This one's on Katherine."

"Bonnie, what are you doing?" Elena asked concerned as the water got closer to Damon. Damon looked up just as the trail of water caught fire and started spreading towards Damon. "Bonnie, stop it," Elena panicked.

"Bonnie! Cut it out," Brea warned.

"Bonnie, Bonnie, stop it," Elena said more aggressively.

Then Damon's leg caught fire and Brea yelled, "Bonnie, quit being an idiot! Cut it out!"

"Bonnie, stop it! You're going to kill him!" Elena yelled as well whilst Damon screamed. "Bonnie!" Elena then leapt across the flames and shook Bonnie to snap her out of her trance. As she did that the flames died down and Damon was extinguished.

"Why, why did you stop me?" Bonnie asked angrily, slapping Elena's hand off of her.

"Seriously Bonnie? Grow up. Are you seriously ok with murdering him? Seriously. Two wrongs don't make a right. Stop being so filled with hate," Brea snapped, still not believing what she just saw her friend do. "I'm taking Jeremy home," she said to Elena before storming away.

"It's been a while," Jenna said to Ric in the doorway.

"Well, school's been keeping me really busy."

"I want you to know it means a lot to me that Elena has a connection to her mother. And although Brea," Jenna said with a head jerk at Brea, who was standing behind her, "isn't quite ready to dive into that birth mother stuff yet, I'm glad the option's open. So I appreciate you bringing Elena along today."

"I just didn't want to hang out with Damon," Brea smirked at her aunt.

"Fair enough," Jenna nodded.

"Yeah. Well, I figured it was time to take care of my wife's things, you know? Look, Jenna, I know… things between you and I have been a little start and stop and I'm sorry about that."

"I'm gonna go," Brea interrupted "You know, be anywhere but here," she said as she ran up the stairs.

"So, I don't get to choose the ring I have to wear the rest of my life?" Caroline asked as she sneered at the ring they were going to turn into her daylight ring. While Elena was spending the day with Damon, Brea had agreed to hang out with the less murderous brother in order to help Caroline.

"See Bonnie," Brea said. "Still the Caroline Forbes we know and love. Nothing's changed."

Bonnie ignored Brea and said, "hey, if you don't want it…"

"No. She, she wants it," Stefan cut off.

"Now what?" Caroline asked as Brea's phone started ringing and all three turned to look at her.

"Sorry," Brea said pulling it out of her bag. She looked at it and saw Katherine's name and declined the call.

"Now's the part where I explain the rules," Bonnie told Caroline. "The witch who spells the ring has the power to de-spell it. So, if you ever do anything to hurt anyone…"

"I'm not going to hurt anyone," Caroline said firmly as Brea glared at Bonnie. Brea, who was sitting next to Caroline on the bed, took her hand to show support.

"You're a vampire. That means the urge to kill is a part of who you are. The minute you let it take over, I will stop you."

"Bonnie, you're supposed to be my friend," Caroline said sadly as Brea squeezed her hand.

"I can't ignore what happened. Ok? If you want to be friends, you're going to have to prove that the Caroline I remember isn't gone."

"She died like two days ago!" Brea snapped. "Honestly Bonnie. It's not like she's a completely different person. She changed but she's still Caroline! In case you forgot how one turns into a vampire, they die. Caroline died, Bonnie! That's pretty traumatic, so cut her some slack! If you can't see that she's still the same person, well then you don't deserve to be her friend." Caroline gave Brea a small smile as Stefan gave Brea a warning look.

"Put the ring on the bed," Bonnie said angrily.

"It's a cute ring," Brea said trying to cheer her up. "I mean cuter than Stefan's. Sorry, Stefan."

"Do you really think I meant to kill that guy at the carnival?" Caroline snapped ignoring Brea.

"He's still dead," Bonnie answered coldly. "Now do you want me to cast the spell or not?" Caroline just looked down and Bonnie opened the blinds a bit, causing Caroline to shrink back against Brea, into the shadows. Bonnie then closed her eyes for a bit before opening them. "All done," she said handing the ring to Caroline who put it on her finger.

"So that's it?" Caroline asked sceptically. "I mean nothing witchy happened," she said making Brea smirk. "You know, no flickering lights, no gust of wind. Have you ever done this before?"

"Caroline," both Brea and Stefan said warningly.

"Well, I just want to make sure it worked!" she defended herself.

Bonnie then walked over and threw open the blind, soaking Caroline in the sunlight. Caroline screamed in anticipation, but she was protected. "It worked," Bonnie snarked.

"What if it hadn't, Bonnie!?" Caroline snapped.

"She's all yours," Bonnie said sarcastically to Stefan and Brea before she left the house. Caroline then cheered up and began sticking her hand in the sunlight excitedly.

"Hey guys," Matt said as he came to join Brea and Tyler at the watering hole where Tyler was throwing a party.

"Is it me, or did Aimee Bradley's ass get hot?" Tyler asked.

"All class," Matt answered with a glance in Aimee's direction.

"And crass," Brea added, clinking Matt's red cup in solidarity.

"Where's Forbes?" Tyler asked.

"Wish I knew," Matt said as Brea looked away.

"You guys on the outs already?" Tyler asked.

"Now. We're fine. I'm fine. Just not sure what she is," he said before he grabbed Brea's shoulders and spun her to face him. "Now tell me what you know."

"Um…" she said unsure how to answer.

"It's ok, you can tell me. I know she's mad at me for something. And I want to know, Brea, I didn't think I'd like her this much, but I do. Just tell me, I know she would have told you."

"Matt, she nearly died. She's not mad with you, she just… she's struggling. It just really messed with her head. I know she doesn't want to be mopey around you, she thinks if she is, then you won't like her anymore," Brea came up with.

"Hmm, I guess," Matt said with a head nod. "What's your uncle doing here?" he asked Tyler as Mason's truck pulled up.

"You're up, you're up," Tyler said shoving Brea towards the truck.

"Hey!" she complained, with a glare back at Tyler before she approached. "Mason, buddy, hey!"

"Brea. What are you guys doing?" he said giving her a knowing look.

"It's a bible study group," Brea lied. "Yep, that's it. No alcohol here."

"Tyler!" Mason called and Tyler came up to the truck.

"You suck," Tyler said bumping Brea's arm. "You busting us or you joining us?" he asked.

"Neither. Hoping you can make sure everyone's out of here by dark," Mason said.

"What happens after dark?" Tyler asked.

"All the crazies come out Ty, it's a full moon, wooo," Brea said trying to sound creepy as she wiggled her fingers in his face.

"Well there's that," Mason said giving Brea a smile. "And there's also the one where someone ends up wasted and dead at the bottom of the lake." Tyler went to rebut when Mason cut him off, "you heard your mom. The family's liable if anything happens."

"Don't be a party killer," Tyler whined.

"Ty, he's got a point," Brea tried to say but Tyler put a hand over her mouth.

"Hey, I didn't say you had to stop partying," Mason smirked. "I just said you have to take it elsewhere."

"All right," Tyler said. "Urgh, you licked my hand," he said yanking his hand off of Brea's mouth. "You're so gross," he said before turning back to Mason. "We'll be out of here," he said before leaving.

"Brea?"

"Don't worry Mason, I'm your backup," Brea joked. "As soon as that sun drops, I'll be the sheriff of the Lockwood watering hole," she said crossing her arms seriously making Mason laugh.

Brea's phone then rang and she pulled it out to see it was Katherine calling, she declined the call again. "You should answer that," Mason said looking at Brea seriously.

"It's nothing, they've called 5 times already today. When I want to talk to her I will," Brea smiled and Mason gave her a look. "It's fine Mason. It's just my sis… sinister history partner, yeah Ric partnered me up with a nasty piece of work," she tried to cover. "See ya," she said quickly running after Tyler only to find him preoccupied with chatting up some girls.

"Hey," Stefan said approaching Brea.

"Hey," she said relieved. "How'd it go?"

"It went well. We bonded," he said with a smile.

"Did she go home?"

"No, she's here."

"Here! Is that a good idea?"

"Yeah, I thought it'd be good. You know, Matt's the main hold on her humanity. I think we should let her embrace what she remembers from being human, rather than keep her from it. I think it's her best chance."

"Ok," she agreed.

"Do you think I'm too serious?" Stefan asked after a moment of silence.

"Yes," Brea answered teasingly with a smile.

"Thanks, Brea," he laughed.

"I miss this you know."

"What?"

"Well I may not remember a lot, but I miss being your friend. I haven't really hung out with you without Elena. It's nice. Like old times," Brea said smiling at Stefan. "Um, hate to ruin the moment, but is Caroline compelling Aimee Bradley?" Brea asked pointing and Stefan spun to look.

Stefan closed his eyes and sighed. "Let's go," he said and he and Brea walked over to Caroline, who had just been abandoned by Matt. "Hey, I saw that," Stefan accused. "You compelled her."

"Technically I saw," Brea said putting her hand up for credit.

"Snitch," Caroline mumbled and Brea's hand shot straight back down. "She deserved it."

"Caroline, nobody deserves to have their mind messed with for… shallow reasons."

"He's right Care. You of all people should know how awful compulsion is," Brea said with a small shrug.

"You know, why is everyone sticking up for Aimee freaking Bradley?"

"Oh, Care. You need my help with nicknames," Brea cringed before telling Stefan, "I had some excellent hate names for Logan Fell. Scumfell was always a hit."

"Shut up," Caroline groaned.

"Okey dokey," Brea said going quiet.

"You're letting your jealousy get the best of you," Stefan counselled.

"Oh, so now I have magnified jealousy issues too. That's great."

"I told you this wasn't going to be easy."

"Yeah, well. Might as well have stayed dead. My entire personality is killing me," Caroline complained. "Shut up," Caroline said to both Stefan and Brea who were sniggering. Brea's phone rang again and Brea didn't even look at the caller ID, knowing who it was, she just clicked decline.

"So um, whatcha doing?" Tyler smirked down at Brea who was sitting up against the keg.

"Hiding from Caroline," Brea admitted quickly reaching up and snatching Tyler's drink out of his hands and chugging it. "She told me my hair looked limp. And I was like duh, I just got thrown in the watering hole. She didn't care."

"Woah Brea," he laughed filling up the cup and handing it back to her. "You've had a lot you should probably slow down."

"You say as you ply me with more alcohol," Brea laughed. "I am so fine," she laughed.

"Stand up for me then, lets see how well you can do that," Tyler said crossing his arms.

"Sure thing," Brea laughed, she tried to stand up but ended up collapsing onto the ground. "Oh wow, maybe I have drunk too much," she giggled as her phone rang.

Tyler dug it out of her pocket. "I think Elena's calling you. The caller ID says 'Evil Sister'."

"Hang up, hang up, hang up," she said desperately crawling towards him.

He gave Brea a weird look before answering. "Hello? Elena is that you? Yeah, yeah, she's right here," he said handing the phone to her.

"Yes Elena, my favourite sister," she said into the phone.

"Now we both know that isn't true," Katherine sniggered.

"Well, it most certainly is right at this moment."

"Where are you?"

"Wouldn't you like to know? I'm not telling you where I am, I don't want you to know."

"Hey Elena, Tyler again," Tyler said snatching the phone. "Yeah, we're at the watering hole. Yeah, I think it would be a good idea if you picked her up. I don't know, she's upset about something. She's had a lot to drink. Yeah, I'll put you back on," he said handing the phone back.

"Traitor," Brea hissed. "Don't pick me up Elena," Brea said keeping up the facade. "I'll walk."

"You're not walking and I am picking you up because it's dangerous out there."

"No, it's not."

"Yes, it is. It's a full moon, you should be inside."

"Who cares what stage of the lunar cycle it is," Brea snapped making Tyler give her a weird look.

"Look, Brenna, you don't have your memories. Now is the time to trust me. So yes, I am coming to get you, and then I'm going to drop you home where you'll be safe."

"Hmm, come again?" Brea asked confused.

"You heard me, I'm two minutes away," Katherine said hanging up.

"Great you're a snitch," Brea said to Tyler and he laughed before sitting down next to her.

"Woah," he gasped after a few minutes of silence

"What?" Brea asked.

"Since when is Elena Gilbert sexy?" he asked as Brea glared at him. She looked over to see Katherine walking towards herthem. Hair curled to perfection and wearing designer heels.

"Oh for god's sake," Brea groaned.

"Hey Brenna, Tyler," Katherine said sweetly.

"Brenna? Oh, you're in trouble," Tyler snickered.

"I mean Brea, of course," Katherine corrected. "Come on Brea," Katherine said and Brea grumpily stood up and slouched off to the car, she turned to yell bye to Tyler but saw him slinking off with Aimee Bradley. "You need to answer your phone when I call you," Katherine muttered as she got in the car.

"Yeah, but I didn't want to talk to you," Brea mumbled.

"I knew that. I know you didn't want to talk to me, so I only called you because it was serious. You've let me stress out the entire day."

"I'm sorry!"

Katherine huffed. "It's fine. I'll drop you home. I just didn't want you to get hurt ok."

Brea looked up at Katherine. "I've never heard of werewolves in Mystic Falls," she said and Katherine snorted.

"Oh sweetie, I know for a fact in your first life your village was infested."

"Oh," Brea sighed. "What's wrong with me? I remember snippets, and even then, they're so hard to hold on to. I just forget. How can I forget my own past?"

"I'm sorry, Brea. Trust me, it's for the best. Your lack of memories has kept you safe for the past century."

"Tell me something."

"About what?"

"Me, us. I don't know. Something I don't know."

"Well, you've been the only constant in my life for nearly 540 years," Katherine smiled. "We were Bulgarian, born into a noble family. We had a good life. And I ruined it. I had a child out of wedlock, which brought great shame to our family in those days. You were my rock, Brenna. Our father resented me. I had the child and then I was disowned and exiled. I was meant to be on my own. But you disobeyed father and left for England in the night with me. You sacrificed your future so you could stay with me. I wouldn't have made it without you. It's been the same ever since I was turned. Every time you'd reincarnate I'd go crazy trying to find you. It was tricky, I was running from someone so I didn't want to be found. But I couldn't be without you, and neither could someone else."

"Are you talking about him?"

"Do you remember him?"

"Not really. I mean I know I've had memories of him but most of them slip away. The only thing I'm sure of is what Anna told me."

"He had a lot of enemies. Look, Brenna, every time you died he would go off the rails, he was feared everywhere for being insane. And it would all coincide with when he was reunited with you, being that way creates a lot of enemies," Katherine explained. "I wanted to keep you safe from them. You're just human. I couldn't let you get in the middle of their fights, which you would. So I'd race to find you for your protection. So your little boyfriend and his family hate my guts. Sometimes he'd get to you first, and then you'd stay with him for that life. Did Anna explain all that to you, about your lives?"

"Yeah she did and thinking about it hurts my head sometimes. I try so desperately to pull a memory and it just... aches. Thanks, Katerina," Brea said, they'd been parked outside the Gilbert house for a few minutes now. "I should go though, I promised Jenna a movie night," she said getting out of the car and walked inside, stumbling on the doorway.

"Hey Jenna," she greeted her aunt.

"You drank."

"How did you know?"

"You tripped getting in the door Brea."

"Fair point," Brea shrugged.

"What happened?" Jenna asked patting the seat next to her.

Brea plonked herself down next to her aunt, "I don't know Jenna. I just feel lost. Ok, say hypothetically I had one sibling who hated the other and they were trying to destroy each other's lives. What would you do?"

"What's happening? Are Jeremy and Elena in a fight? Brea if they are I need to know."

"No, no, god no. Hypothetical Jenna, remember. Ok, say it's two friends who are very close to me."

"Bonnie and Caroline?"

"Jenna it's hypothetical."

"It is, isn't it?"

"Jenna!"

"Fine, fine. I wouldn't take sides for starters. Stay neutral. Much safer. You're close to both of them, so you don't want to jeopardise either friendship. How's that?"

"Actually really helpful. Ok, let's add in that one party doesn't really know what's happening and the other knows everything, but is playing everything close to the chest and won't tell me what's going on?"

"Hypothetical huh?" Jenna asked.

"Fine, fine, end of the conversation," Brea giggled. "Ok, you and Alaric, what happened after I ran away this morning?"

"I don't know Brea. I don't want to just be waiting in the wings, waiting for him to move on you know?"

"Absolutely, it would be unfair to ask you to do that."

"He hasn't, you know, asked me to do that. He just keeps apologising for everything. But I don't want an apology, I just want an answer. Yes, we will happen, or, no, we won't."

"Maybe this trip will have cleared his head?" Brea yawned.

Jenna laughed. "Yeah maybe. Go to bed, you're tired. You are Jeremy were up till all hours watching Bambi, he's already in bed."

Brea gasped. "You knew?"

"Of course, my room is right next to yours, I hardly got any sleep over you two sobbing all night."

"Please don't tell Elena," Brea begged. "She'll kill us. The last time we watched it, she came in and snapped the disk, we had to buy a new one, Jenna."

Jenna just laughed. "Ok, I won't tell her. But one of you will give it away. You always do."

"Hey! Will not."

"Sweetheart, either you or Jer only has to hear someone say 'mother' and you'll burst into tears," Jenna said as Brea's eyes welled up. "Go to bed."

"Ok," Brea sniffled as she climbed the stairs.

Chapter Text

EDITED OCT22

Elena and Brea sat in the Grill in silence. Elena was studying and Brea was looking over a book on Petrova family history that Elena had gotten from Damon when the two of them went to visit Duke.

"Are you ever going to put that down?" Elena asked not looking up from her studies.

"Nope. It's amazing. Look, it's me," she said pointing to a drawing of her and Katherine with, who she assumed, were her parents of the time.

"I'm trying to study, Brea," Elena huffed.

"Well you spoke to me first," Brea muttered under her breath.

Brea glanced up from her book when she saw someone slide into the seat opposite her only to glare when she saw it was Damon. While Brea scowled at him, Damon gave her a small wave with his fingers causing Brea to slam the book closed in anger making Elena jump and notice Damon.

"Go away," Brea snapped at him.

"What do you want?" Elena asked.

"So this is where you two spend your time when one of you isn't stabbing people in the back," Damon noted looking around. Elena had to play a trick on him in order to get the Petrova book from him. He was still a little pissed.

"Oh screw you," Brea snapped. "She did the right thing, you ass."

Elena gave Brea a look to be quiet and then sighed, "I tricked you into telling me the truth. That's not stabbing you in the back. It's using your own tactics against you." Elena clicked her pen closed and gestured to Brea that they were going to leave.

"Where are you two going?" Damon asked, a smirk still plastered on his face.

"I made myself clear, Damon," Elena scolded. "I want nothing to do with you."

Damon then turned his smirk to Brea and she glared. "I stand with good old Elena here. You killed my brother. You're an ass." Brea shot one last smirk before walking away with Elena.

"Ok. See you at Jenna's barbecue," Damon mused, making the girls freeze in their place.

The twins both slowly turned around and Elena asked, "how did you know about Jenna's barbecue?"

"It was my idea," he said. "Jenna went to high school with Mason Lockwood. So I figured a social gathering would be a good way to get to know the guy. So I told Ric, to tell Jenna…"

"1. Leave Mason alone," Brea spat interrupting his speech. "2. Does Jenna know that you're going to be there? Because she's not exactly a fan of yours, we've spoken about you in depth."

A waitress then came over and placed a box in front of Damon. "Perfect. Thank you," he smiled at her. "I'm hoping this peach cobbler will pave the way," he said to the girls before standing up.

"Dammit. Jenna loves peach cobbler," Brea muttered.

"What are you up to?" Elena asked.

"I'm gonna put some silver into Mason Lockwood and prove he's a werewolf."

"No you are not," Brea hissed turning to face him.

Damon just smirked. "See you both at the barbecue."

"I hate him. I hate him," Brea hissed to her sister.

Elena and Brea were helping Jenna set up for her barbecue, Brea was still in a bad mood from their confrontation with Damon earlier. "Thanks for letting us invite Caroline," Elena said to try to break the silence. "She could use a day of distraction."

"Well, she's not the plus one I'm worried about," Jenna said. "Why is Damon coming?" she asked Elena.

"Because Alaric is a pity taker," Elena replied. "Come on, Jenna. Be nice."

"Why should she?" Brea asked grumpily. "Be mean Jenna, be mean."

"I'll be nice when Damon learns to keep his paws off you. Until then Brea and I are perfectly happy making the guy's life a living hell," Jenna snarked and Brea laughed raising her hand to high-five her aunt.

"Ahh, good news!" Mason cheers coming into the kitchen. "Found the shot glasses."

"That would be my exit," Elena says walking out of the room.

"Here for 10 minutes and already I'm back under the bleachers at the pep rally," Jenna mused.

"Just like old times huh?" Mason laughed hugging Jenna as Brea giggled and raised her eyebrows. "Only I didn't swipe this bottle from my old man," he joked.

"You, block your ears, don't go getting any ideas," Jenna smiled at Brea who was grinning widely.

"Oh, the expensive stuff. I like you already," Ric mused, coming inside after he finished barbecuing.

"Just happy to be invited," Mason said nicely.

"You're just happy to be invited anywhere," Brea joked sarcastically and Mason pulled her into a gentle headlock.

"Thank Ric. This was his idea," Jenna smiled.

"Really?" Mason asked letting Brea go.

"Yeah, well, you know. I thought it'd be nice to meet some of Jenna's old high school friends. Dig up a little dirt," Ric said as Brea gave him a warning look.

"Oh, I've got dirt. I've got dirt," Mason laughed as he poured drinks.

"I have no secrets. Only dirty shame," Jenna smiled as she, Mason and Ric, raised their glasses.

"Cheers," they all said as Damon walked in.

"Hey," Damon greeted and Jenna and Ric lowered their shot. As they were distracted Mason subtly slid a shot to Brea and she quickly drank it, knowing she'd need it to put up with Damon.

"Damon," Jenna greeted icily.

"We were just doing shots. Let me get you a shot glass, buddy," Ric said as Damon showed Jenna the box of cobbler he brought.

"No, here," Jenna said throwing back her glass. "Use mine," she snapped slamming the glass into his hand.

"Yes, Jenna!" Brea laughed, following Jenna out of the room. "That was amazing I love it! I love you, you are the best," Brea cheered as she rubbed her aunt's shoulders.

"He's an ass," Jenna sneered.

"Dress! Ballerina!" Jenna yelled as they all played Pictionary later that day.

"Puppy! Puppy! Puppy with a tutu!" Caroline yelled guessing.

"No," Damon said as he continued to draw. Brea sat on the armchair of Mason's chair and glared at Damon, knowing the drawing was hinting at wolves.

"Dog. Hound dog," Jenna excitedly called out. "You ain't nothing but a hound dog," she laughed drunkenly.

"Dances with Wolves," Mason answered and Caroline, Ric and Jenna spun their heads to look at Mason confused as to how he got it right.

"Mason wins… again," Damon said eyeing him.

"How is that a wolf?" Jenna called as she reached for her wine glass.

"Ok Jenna," Brea laughed reaching forward to pull the wine further away. "You're officially cut off!"

"No way," Jenna protested, getting up out of her seat and pulling Brea into a headlock as she'd Mason had done earlier. Jenna let go of Brea, laughed and smoothed out her niece's messy hair before walking off to the kitchen.

"That was your fault," Brea groaned looking at Mason. "She only did that because she saw you do it first."

"It's fun, Little Gilbert," Mason said smirking at her.

"Don't you dare," Brea warned, but Mason only laughed before grabbing her in another headlock.

Jenna, Damon, Ric, Mason and Brea were in the dining room, ready to have dessert whilst Elena and Caroline were being antisocial in the other room. "Mason. Why don't you start us off," Damon offered placing a pie in front of him. Brea, who was sitting next to Mason, noticed the silver pie server Damon had placed in it and immediately glared at Damon. Mason saw the server and hesitated.

"Sure," Mason said spinning the pie around and taking a bit out with his hands. Brea let out a sigh of relief before giggling at Mason's strange behaviour. Mason looked around to notice Ric giving him a weird look. Mason then smiled and said with a laugh. "What am I? I apologise. I'm an animal."

Ric then laughed to ease the tension. "So, Mason, you and Jenna never dated?" he asked.

Mason shook his head. "She was always lost in Logan Fell-land," Mason remarked.

"Don't make me puke," Brea pretended to retch.

"Oh, my first mistake," Jenna mused.

"Oh and what a monumental mistake that was," Brea smiled sweetly at Jenna.

"Shoosh you, you've got to let it go one day," Jenna smiled. "Mason was a catch, he had girls lining up."

"Really?" Damon asked. "Huh. I always pegged you for a lone wolf," he smirked and Brea gave him her best glare.

"I'm sure I wasn't half the lady killer you were," Mason retorted making Brea stop glaring and her eyes went wide as she exchanged uncomfortable looks with Ric. "How about a toast?" he offered and Brea nodded in agreeance. "Not you," he winked at her. "To new friends."

The four then clinked their beer bottles together and called out "cheers!"

"Brea," Elena said as she popped her head into the room. "We're going to go check on Stefan, want to come?"

"Go to see the better Salvatore?" Brea smirked with a glare at Damon. "Count me in," she said standing up as Elena left the room. "Bye Mason," Brea farewelled.

"Thanks for this. I appreciate it," Elena said, breaking the awkward silence in the car.

"Here we come… to the rescue," Caroline sniped.

"Why are you being so snippy?" Elena asked.

"That's my own drama," Caroline brushed off. "I'm sure that you two will beat the odds. Not that there's any study to pull odds from."

"Care," Brea warned. Caroline was projecting her disappointment over her failed relationship with Matt onto Elena and Stefan.

Caroline continued anyway. "What is the ratio of success for vampire/human couplings? I'm guessing nil"

"Ok, Caroline," Elena said annoyed.

"Sorry," Caroline replied.

"Well, apparently I have a vampire husband from what I'm told, pull the odds from that," Brea smirked.

Caroline snorted. "How successful would you call that Brea? You know nothing about the guy and you're not exactly together."

"Touche," Brea muttered, shrinking into her seat.

Before anyone could say anything else, the car shook. "Crap," Caroline muttered pulling over.

"Bugger," Brea sighed, knowing they'd blown a tire.

"Are you sure the tow's coming? We've been waiting forever," Elena exclaimed angrily to Caroline hours after they pulled over. Brea had been keeping herself occupied talking to Tyler and Matt in their group chat whilst Elena and Caroline sniped at each other.

"I know. It's weird," Caroline muttered. "They said they'd be here by now."

"Yeah," Elena said pacing. "I'm just going to call Jenna."

"No," Caroline yelled. "Let me try the tow people again. I'll use my aggro voice."

"Yeah, definitely can't call Jenna, Lena," Brea muttered. "She is drunk as a skunk. So she 100% can't drive," Brea laughed.

"We can just walk from here," Elena suggested.

"That works," Brea agreed, pulling herself off the hood of the car.

"I can't just leave my car," Caroline said blocking Elena's path.

"It's not going anywhere Care," Brea laughed.

"Exactly. We'll come back for it," Elena agreed.

"Just give me a minute, Elena," Caroline snapped.

"Caroline, what part of 'I'm worried about Stefan' didn't sink in?" Elena asked and Brea stepped forward looking at Caroline with confusion.

"You ok, Care?" Brea asked nervously.

"Urgh! What's the rush?" Caroline snapped at them both. "Elena, why are you hurrying to get to a relationship that'll never work?"

Both girls eyebrows shot up in shock. "Caroline!" Brea scolded. "Not your place."

"Ok. Look, I know that you're upset over Matt, but will you stop projecting it onto me and Stefan, please?"

"I'm not projecting anything. You're human. He's a vampire. You're going to be 70 and in diapers, and he's still going to be smoking hot. And you will never have his children, Elena. And you are too maternal not to have children."

Elena and Brea stood there in shock before Elena asked. "Where is this coming from?"

"I'm just trying to be your friend."

"Ok. Well, do me a favour and stop trying," Elena said visibly hurt.

"There's the tow," Brea said pointing out the truck.

"I'm going to walk," Elena said taking Brea's hand.

"No, please, don't," Caroline begged, grabbing onto Brea's arm.

"Ow!" Brea exclaimed trying to pull her arm back.

"Caroline! Let her go, you're hurting her," Elena warned.

"Don't leave me alone," Caroline pleaded as Brea yanked her arm away.

"What's wrong with you?" Elena asked as she and Brea stared at Caroline confused.

"Hey there," the tow driver greeted. "Someone call about a flat tire?"

"She did," Elena said glaring at Caroline before walking off.

"Lena," Brea said as they walked a few paces. "I'm going to stay. You go, check on Stefan."

"Brea…" Elena started.

"I have to make sure she doesn't eat the tow guy," Brea said quietly. "I know we're mad at her. But it's safer this way. I'll see you at the house," Elena nodded and walked off and Brea huffed before walking back to Caroline.

"Brea, come on. You know it's true," Caroline said to Brea.

"Shut it, Caroline," Brea scowled looking away.

Brea was waiting in the Grill for Caroline, she had just run to the bathroom. They'd spent the last hour standing in silence as she had her car fixed. Caroline then brought her to the Grill to buy her a drink and some food to apologise for her weird behaviour. Caroline had been gone for a while so Brea got up and walked to the bathroom. "Caroline?" Brea asked opened the door to see her friend plastered up against the sink shaking. "Are you ok?" Brea asked looking around for who might have startled her.

"I'm fine. I'm fine," Caroline said taking a few deep breaths. "Just you know… vampire moment."

"Oh," Brea said with a nod.

"Let's go, our chips are probably getting cold," she said, grabbing Brea's hand and leading her back to the table. They had just sat back down when they saw Elena and Stefan walk into the Grill. They passed the table the two were sitting at and Caroline spoke up, "Elena…"

"Hey," Elena huffed stopping. Stefan walked off to grab a table, leaving the three girls alone.

"Oh my god. I am so sorry about earlier today. I don't, I don't know what came over me," Caroline apologised and Brea gave her a small smile.

"It's ok, Caroline," Elena forgave. "Everything that you were saying was right."

"Woah, woah, what?" Brea asked sitting up straight.

Elena ignored her twin and continued on, "it's just hard for me to hear, you know?"

"So you're not mad at me?" Caroline asked.

"You were just being a good friend," Elena brushed off. "In your own way."

"My own head-case, horrible way," Caroline apologised and Elena smiled before walking off. "Elena," Caroline said calling her back, "I really am sorry."

Elena nodded and then left again. "Wait, come back," Brea called. "Lena!" Elena kept walking. "She's wrong Lena! Elena Gilbert get back here," Brea called after her twin, but Elena just kept walking and sat down next to Stefan. "So rude!" Brea muttered spinning back to face Caroline. "You're wrong you know. Elena and Stefan, they're perfect together. And I'll be damned if I'm going to let you ruin that. Hey, Forbes, are you even listening to me!" Brea snapped as she noticed Caroline tuning out. All Caroline did was hold up a finger to silence her. "Did you just! Did you just try to silence me! Oh, you are dead, so dead. Where's she going?" Brea asked as she noticed Elena stand up and leave Stefan.

"I think they just broke up," Caroline whispered shocked.

"Oh, oh no. That's why you were ignoring me," Brea realised. "I have to go," Brea said getting up and running after Elena. "Elena! Elena!" she called as she exited the Grill

Elena spun around with tears in her eyes. "Can you just drive me home please?" Elena begged and Brea nodded, taking the keys from Elena.

They were halfway home when Brea spoke. "Tell me what happened Lena. Please."

Elena looked around before saying to Brea, "it was fake."

Brea looked at her sister confused. "What was fake?"

"The fight. It wasn't real. I hated it. That was the worst thing I've ever had to do," she said miserably.

"Ok… so why are you and Stefan fake fighting?" Brea asked even more confused.

"Caroline. Katherine got to her. That's why she spent the day trying to keep me away from Stefan. Katherine was with Stefan all day, Brea. She got Caroline to keep me away. And in the Grill there, she was hanging onto every single word of Stefan and I's fight," she sighed. "She's going to give Katherine a play-by-play. Katherine wants us to break up."

Brea stared at her sister in shock. "That's why she was acting so weird," Brea sighed. "What does Katherine have on her?"

"I don't know," Elena huffed. "Look I know you've talked to Katherine, you can't tell her. Please, Brea. Promise me."

"No, Elena. I would never. I wouldn't do that to you," Brea reaffirmed. "I don't really know how I feel about Katherine. I know she's my sister, I can feel the relationship subconsciously. Every part of my heart wants to be friends with her, but my brain can't remember her. But what I do remember is you. You're my twin. I would never betray you like that," Brea said raising her pinky finger for her sister. Elena laughed and took Brea's pinky in hers and they made a pinky swear.

"I can't believe Tyler Lockwood's a werewolf," Jeremy said in shock as he stood in the doorway of the bathroom as the twins did their makeup.

"He's not," Brea said and the two looked at her. "Guys, we know this. Stefan saw him that night when Mason was a wolf. He was very much human. It's Tyler guys, come on."

Elena sighed and gave her sister a look before turning to Jeremy. "We're not sure yet. The only thing we know for sure is that Mason Lockwood is."

"It should be easy enough for us to figure out," Jeremy said and both girls stopped what they were doing and slowly turned to face their brother.

"There is no us," Elena denied. "I said that I wouldn't keep things from you anymore. That doesn't mean that I want you involved in it."

"Agreed," Brea said jabbing her thumb in Elena's direction. "I don't even want to be involved. Join me on the sidelines!"

Jeremy chuckled and moved further into the bathroom. "By definition of being in this family, I'm involved," he said showing the twins his ring.

"This is dangerous, Jeremy," Elena warned.

"I mean, it's not that dangerous," Brea disagreed and Jeremy smiled victoriously. "I mean we know werewolves can only turn on a full moon. Should be safe the rest of the month."

"See!" Jeremy said to Elena.

"But this is a supernatural creature issue, not a human one. So all three of us should stay out of it. We've known the Lockwoods our entire lives. They don't want to hurt us."

Elena ignored most of what Brea said. "Which is why you need to stay out of it," she emphasised to Jeremy.

"All right," Jeremy said to Elena, sending a quick wink to Brea. Brea just rolled her eyes at her brother's stupidity before heading downstairs to see Jenna.

"Hey you," Jenna greeted.

"You coming to the volunteer picnic?" Brea asked.

"Sure am."

"Want me to drive you in my fancy new car?" Brea asked, waving the keys in the air.

"Oh yes, please. Are we waiting for Elena?" Jenna asked.

"Ha, nope," Brea said giggling as she took Jenna's hand.

"Jeremy not coming today?" Jenna asked as they got in the car.

"No. He gave some crappy excuse. Wanted to spend the day working on his drawings. Lazy little boy," Brea muttered and Jenna laughed.

"It's good he's getting back into his drawings."

"Yeah, it is," Brea said thinking. "Still lazy."

Jenna looked around the car, every time she got in she was in awe. "I can't believe you won this car with the crappy poem of yours."

"Ok," Brea scoffed offended.

Brea's phone buzzed with a text and Jenna picked it up. "Wow you are a popular lady," Jenna laughed looking through her phone.

"Hey, just read the last text or I'll be forced to tell Ric some embarrassing drunk Jenna stories. And I have a few."

"Ok, ok," Jenna panicked. "It's from Elena. Oh oh. We're in trouble."

"Urgh, read it," Brea groaned.

"You are so dead Brenna. I asked you for one favour. Drive me today. You can't even do that. I would have thought with everything going on with Stefan, driving me would be easy."

"Oh no, she called me Brenna, I am dead," Brea muttered eyes wide.

"Run, run, run," Jenna said speedily running toward Brea before grabbing her hand and tugging her. Brea looked behind to see Elena storming towards her.

"Ah!" Brea exclaimed as she ran with Jenna.

"So what's going on with Stefan and Elena?" Jenna asked once the coast was clear.

"What do you mean?" Brea asked as they found another area to paint.

"The text you got from her. It said she was upset about Stefan."

"Right," Brea sighed. She hated lying to her aunt but she promised Elena. "They're having a few issues."

"About?" Jenna pressed.

"Stefan's ex. She came into town and spent the day with Stefan. Made some declaration of love or whatever."

"Ouch," Jenna said in sympathy as they looked over at Elena who was fighting with Stefan.

"Yeah," Brea sighed as Elena stormed off.

"Urgh," Jenna groaned. "Not today," she huffed before storming away.

"What the hell?" Brea muttered, only to understand her aunt's reaction when Damon appeared beside her. "You scared away my bestie," Brea scowled. "Go away."

"We have to talk."

"There's nothing to talk about!"

"I'm sorry Brenna," he said and she froze, she knew him well enough to know he never said sorry. "There, I said it. I'm sorry. I was drunk and Katherine got in my head. There's no excuse. But we've been friends for years. I know I haven't really been there for you lately. You don't remember everything and I don't want to push you, so I've kept my distance. I'd hate for our friendship to be completely gone."

"Sure, whatever, just go away" she snapped. "Ass," she added to the end.

"Hey buddy," Mason said walking over, Brea could see the rage in his eyes, even though he was holding it in. "She said back off," he growled and Damon quickly stalked off. "You ok?"

"Yeah, thanks."

"You shouldn't hang around him, Brea. I'm serious."

"I know," she assured. "Trust me. I'm trying. Psychopath keeps following me."

"Urgh, there you two are," Brea said as she stumbled through the woods and found a clearing Elena and Caroline were sitting in. "I came to see how you were, after your fight," Brea said to her sister. Elena just shook her head and Brea placed an arm around her shoulders and let Elena lean on her. Her twin was much more likely to be nice with Caroline around.

"Is she leaving?" Caroline asked as she spotted her mom walking away on the phone. "Where's my mom going?" she asked standing up and walking over to her mom.

"Let's go see what it's about," Elena said, pulling Brea off the ground and over to Caroline.

"What's going on?" Brea asked Caroline as they reached her.

"I don't know," Caroline said shaking her head. "Something's up. Let's find out," she said taking off. Brea shrugged at Elena and the two followed her.

"Where are you going? What's going on?" Elena asked as they climbed to higher ground.

"I need to be able to hear better."

"Hear what?" Brea asked. "You know these are nice boots, I really don't want to get them dirty."

"Those are my boots," Elena said looking down.

"Yeah, and they're nice boots."

"Something's wrong guys," Caroline interrupted.

"Caroline," Elena started before Caroline cut her off.

"Shh. Oh god," she eventually said spinning around.

"What is it?" the twins both asked.

"Stefan and Damon," Caroline said before she took off running. Elena and Brea exchanged worried looks before running after her.

"What? Caroline!" Elena called out as they ran after her.

"What is it?" Elena demanded as they came to a stop.

"They've been here," Caroline answered before bending down.

"What?" Elena asked.

"Caroline?" Brea pressed before looking down and seeing blood on Caroline's finger.

"What are you three doing out here?" Mason asked from behind them causing them to jump and all spin around.

"Mason!" Brea cheered. "Have you by any chance seen my good pal, Stefan and my enemy, Damon?"

"Yeah, Brea, I've seen them," he said walking towards the girls.

"Where are they?" Elena asked.

"You don't need me for that. I'll let your friend here sniff 'em out," he said gesturing to Caroline and Brea's eyes went wide as she turned to look at Caroline. "Does your mother know what you are? I'm happy to tell her."

"Mason!" Brea yelled in shock. Caroline moved towards Mason threateningly and Mason lunged forward and grabbed Elena, holding her around her neck. "No!" Brea screamed as Mason threatened her sister. "Let her go!"

"Don't be stupid," he warned Caroline who then stuck an arm out to stop Brea from running to her sister. "Necks snap easily around here," he said as Elena scratched at his arm.

"Mason please," Brea begged and his eyes softened a bit before hardening.

"I can take you," Caroline said.

"Want a bet?" he asked.

"Yeah, I do," Caroline snapped zooming towards him and ripping him off Elena. "Told you," she said as she slammed Mason up against a tree.

Brea ran forward to Elena who landed on the ground. "Are you ok?" she asked and Elena nodded. The twins then looked up to see Caroline knee Mason in the groin and then throw him into a tree.

"Come on," Caroline said and she and Elena took off. Brea stayed back a moment and looked at Mason in anger, as soon as he looked around and locked eyes with Brea, she looked away and ran after the others.

"What is that?" Elena asked as they arrived at the entrance to the Lockwood cellar.

Caroline raised a finger to silence the girls as she listened. "Caroline?" Brea asked coming to stand next to her friend.

Caroline started panting and placed a hand over her mouth. "Caroline, what is it?" Elena asked desperately.

"My mom. She's killing them."

"What?" Elena asked looking at Brea. Brea nodded and they both went to run down into the cellar.

"No, no, no, Elena, Brea, no," Caroline said grabbing each of the twin's arms.

"We have to stop her!" Elena cried.

"No, I can't. Elena, she's going to find out about me." Elena and Brea just stared at their friend in disappointment, and then took each other's hand and ran down into the cellar. "Elena! Brea!" Caroline called after them, but they were gone.

"Got a plan?" Brea asked as they got down there and Elena just shrugged and pushed open the gate, which creaked loudly. The girls jumped back, knowing they were busted. The girls looked around and Brea found a plank of wood, she picked it up and handed it to Elena and the girls then stood back, waiting for someone to come through the door. Eventually, a man did and Elena swung the plank out and smacked the guy in the head. "Wow, you're strong," Brea whispered and then they ran further into the cellar, only stopping when they saw Liz pointing a gun at them.

"Brea! Elena! What are you doing?" she asked in shock.

"You can't kill them. we're not going to let you," Elena told Liz. Before anything else could happen, the deputy that Elena hit in the head ran forward and shoved Elena further into the cellar. He then did the same to Brea and she tripped and landed on Damon's chest.

"Damon?" she whispered in fear as she saw he hardly moved when she landed on him. All of a sudden there was a woosh sound and the door slammed closed.

"What was that?" the deputy asked worriedly.

"Who else is with you?" Liz demanded. Caroline continued running around the room as the deputies yelled in alarm. Caroline then grabbed onto the man who Elena hit in the head and bit through his neck. The man began screaming and another deputy started firing, but Caroline used the man's body as a shield. Brea crawled off of Damon and over to her sister, she grabbed Elena by the ankle and yanked hard to she fell hard onto the floor and out of danger. Caroline then attacked the man firing the shots, yanking the gun out of his hand and smacking him on the head to knock him out. Caroline then ran into the corner of the room panting madly.

After calming down for a moment, Caroline stepped out of the shadows. "Hi mom," she stuttered as Liz stared in shock.

"Stefan," Elena breathed before crawling to his side and trying to dig out the bullets.

"Ew," Brea muttered as she came to sit down next to Damon. "What's up?" she asked him casually as he moaned.

"Pass me that deputy would you?" he groaned.

"Huh?"

"I need blood to heal."

"Oh, yeah, no way, not happening."

"Brenna," he growled.

"No! He has… dead guy germs."

"He's been dead for one minute!"

"Exactly. Dead. Dead guy germs."

Damon growled but proceeded to drag himself across the room to feed on the deputy. Brea looked around and saw Stefan panting in pain and Caroline sitting in a corner hiding from her mom.

Damon finished feeding and pulled himself over to Stefan. "You need to drink some deputy blood."

"No, no. I'll be fine, it's going to take a little bit longer," he said with a groan.

"Damon's right you know," Caroline said, "if there's ever a time to break your diet…"

"He said he didn't want it! Ok?" Elena snapped.

Damon then grabbed onto Brea's arm and used her as leverage to pull himself up, but he still stumbled from weakness. "This is the most unfortunate situation. Two deputies dead. And you," he said turning to Liz. "What am I going to do with you?" he asked as Brea slowly edged her way closer to Liz.

"You won't tell anyone, will you?" Caroline asked. "Mom? Mom? Please! Look, I know that we don't get along and that you hate me, but I'm your daughter. And you'll do this for me, right? Mom, please. He will kill you," Caroline begged and Damon nodded in agreement.

"Then kill me," Liz spat.

"No," Caroline responded shocked.

"I can't take this. Kill me now," Liz cried as Damon stalked towards her.

Damon then bent down to her level and hissed, "but you were going to drag it out so painfully." He then sprung into action and picked Liz up, pushing her against the wall.

"No, no, no, no," Caroline begged.

"Damon don't!" Stefan yelled.

"Damon, please!" Elena called to him.

"Damon," Brea whispered, placing her hand on his arm. "Please," she said looking into his eyes.

Damon stared at her for a moment before turning to Stefan and Elena. "Relax guys. No one's killing anybody. You're my friend," he said to Liz. "We got to clean this up," he said looking around the cellar. "Blondie, Stefan, Elena, that's your job. Brenna, you're with me," he said waving his finger at Brea and supporting Liz out of the cellar.

"Where are we going?" she asked as she made her way through the woods. "I drove Jenna, I can't leave her here."

"Ok," Damon said stopping. "Get your keys to Jenna, she can drive your car home. We'll take mine with Liz. We need to talk."

"But… it's an Aston Martin," Brea whined and Damon shrugged unsure of what the problem was. "I don't trust Jenna not to bang it up."

"Just get your aunt the keys," Damon whined as they reached the main volunteer area.

"Fine," Brea snapped stalking off to find Jenna. "Jenna!" she called out when she spotted her.

"Traitor," Jenna said with her hands on her hips when she saw Brea.

"What?" Brea asked confused.

"You so ditched me!"

"You ditched me first!"

"True," Jenna agreed. "But I'm older. You have to respect your elders.."

"Whatever, Jenna. I'm going to need you to drive my car home."

"What? Where are you going?" she asked.

"Damon's um, tv broke. He's dumb when it comes to technology so somehow I got voted to help him," Brea lied.

Jenna then laughed. "Sucks to be you, sweetie, now give me the keys," she said and Brea dropped her keys in her aunt's hand with a scowl and then walked off to find Damon.

Damon and Brea had spent the entire car ride in silence, not really wanting to fight in front of Liz. They got in the boarding house and Damon took Liz to the cellars whilst Brea waited on the couch. After a while, Elena and Stefan got in as well.

"Hey," Brea said when she saw them. "Feeling better?" she asked Stefan.

"Much, thanks," he said.

"Did… did you um…" she stuttered. "Did you eat a deer?" Elena huffed and turned to face Brea irritated.

"No, no deers today," Stefan responded.

"Good. Say nothing Elena," she said as she saw Elena getting mad

"Did you two buy another DVD?" she asked annoyed.

"No."

"You're lying," Elena snapped before she went to answer the front door.

"Don't eat deers, Stef. It could be Bambi's mother," Brea muttered before he left the room.

He smiled before saying. "I won't."

"We're just going to drop Liz's things downstairs ok," Elena said sticking her head in the living room to tell Brea.

"Sure, hey Care," she said looking over Elena's shoulders and Caroline just gave her a small smile before leaving. After 2 minutes Caroline came storming up the stairs looking upset. "Care! Hey, Care! Are you ok?" Brea asked running to her.

"No," Caroline said sitting down next to Brea. "She doesn't want to see me. My own mother doesn't want to see me," she cried.

"Oh, Care," Brea said pulling her in for a hug.

After a minute of hugging Elena ran into the room and Brea could tell she was mad. "Can I take you home?" she asked Caroline.

Caroline pulled away from Brea and shook her head. "I can't go home."

"Why not?" the twins asked.

"Because I'm scared."

"Why are you scared?" Elena asked moving closer.

"Caroline, you can talk to us," Brea said brushing some hair out of her face.

"Katherine's going to be there, and she's going to want me to tell her everything that happened today," Caroline explained and Brea and Elena shared a knowing look. "She told me I had to spy on you Elena and report back to her. And she told me to keep Brea away from Stefan, Damon and Tyler, I've only really kept her away from Tyler though," Caroline sniffled.

"I know," Elena said.

"Oh my god! That's why you told me he grabbed your ass last night! Care! I sent him the most abusive text this morning when he asked to hang out!"

"Sorry," she sniffled. "Wait, you knew?" she asked and the girls nodded.

"Yeah," Brea said with a shrug.

"And we've been so mad at you," Elena said. "But then we tried to put ourselves in your position. So that I could understand why you would do this to me, and to Stefan because he's been such a friend to you."

"To me as well," Brea whispered to Elena and Elena shushed her.

Elena moved to sit on the couch next to Brea. "Who did she threaten?"

"Matt," Caroline said crying. "She threatened Matt."

"Matthew!" Brea roared. "No one threatens Matt!" she said ripping her phone out of her pocket.

"No," Elena said snatching it away. "She can't know, it's too dangerous for Caroline. You can't talk to her anymore Brea."

"I know Elena," she snapped. "She came into town saying she missed me, told me things about my past and then she kills my best friend, threatens Matt and you. We're done. Are you ok Care?"

"No. I am so scared of her Brea. I am so scared of her," she cried.

"And you should be," Elena agreed.

"I'm so sorry," Brea whispered feeling guilty.

"Caroline, we all should be," Elena said.

"Why is she doing this?" Caroline said looking at Brea. "What does she want?"

"She says Stefan, but that's not true. I know her. She's here for something else. I don't know what though," Brea said taking Caroline's hand.

"That's the million-dollar question," Elena agreed and Caroline moved to hug the twins.

After about an hour of tears, Caroline fell asleep and Elena tucked her in. As she and Brea went to leave Damon stood in front of them. Elena put her finger in front of her lips to tell him to be quiet. "Caroline's sleeping on the couch."

"I heard," he whispered. "And you two?"

"We're going home," Brea answered.

The twins walked around Damon and walked to the front door. "What you did for Caroline's mom," Elena said, stopping and turning around. "That's the Damon who was our friend," she said and Brea nodded.

Elena then opened the door and Damon said, "hey," making them turn around. "Stefan didn't drink the people blood if you were curious," he said to Elena and Brea looked at her sister confused. "But he needs to. And deep down, Elena, you know that" he said before walking off.

"I'll be back," Brea said.

"Me too," Elena said as they walked in different directions.

"Hey," Brea said as she followed Damon and he spun around with a small smile.

"Hey," he whispered. "I am so sorry."

"I know," she said tears falling.

"Brenna. I know you'll never forgive me. But I don't know what I would do if you stopped talking to me forever," he said walking towards her.

"I know. Even though I am so mad at you. Today… today I… I was so worried about you, as well as Stefan."

"I know," he said with a small smile.

"I think, we can try to be friendly again. But Damon, I swear to god, you lay one finger on my brother again and I will never, and I mean never forgive you. The same goes for my sister and any of my friends," she warned.

Chapter Text

EDITED OCT22

"Any time this year boys," Brea tried to motivate Tyler and Matt as they carried a heavy table.

"You could try helping," Matt suggested.

"Excuse me! I'm supervising," Brea glared, putting her hands on her hips and Tyler scoffed.

"Wait, wait, wait, Tyler!" Matt called as Tyler tried to move too fast.

"Boys!" Mrs Lockwood called out concerned. "Be careful with that, it's from the 1800s," she scolded. "Excuse me," she said to Jenna before coming over to the group. "Tyler!"

"Mom, we got it," Tyler assured.

"It's ok Mrs Lockwood. I'm keeping an eye on them, I won't let them break your table," Brea said with a smile. "I'll be your eyes and ears."

"Ok, thank you, Brea, sweetie," Mrs Lockwood said walking away.

"Suck up," Tyler scoffed.

"Yeah, I know. But if it means she keeps me on the easy jobs, like supervising you two I'm fine with it," she said as Tyler scowled. "Look busy boys, Mrs Lockwood incoming," Brea hissed as she saw Mrs Lockwood round the corner.

"Tyler! That's not where that table goes," Mrs Lockwood scolded.

"I'm sorry Mrs Lockwood, Elena needs my help unloading a box of decorations, would you mind supervising for a while?" Brea asked sweetly.

"Of course, of course," Mrs Lockwood said waving Brea off. Matt and Tyler's faces both dropped. Brea walked away but before she went around the corner she pointed her finger at the boys and mimed laughing.

"Elena Helena," Brea rhymed as she found her sister.

"Hey," Elena said as she opened a box.

"How'd it go with Bonnie?" Elena had planned to have a discussion with their supposed friend about her treatment of Caroline.

"Alright actually. I think she's going to make an effort with Caroline soon, so that's good. She felt bad because she didn't know about Stefan and I fighting, she's feeling out of the loop."

"Good," Brea said as she helped her sister pull decorations out of the box. "Caroline's our friend who didn't ask for any of this and Bonnie is being awful."

The girls continued unpacking the box in silence until Elena jumped and Brea looked over, "Damon, what are you doing here?" Elena asked.

"Looking for my baby bro," he answered. "Speaking of, would you tell yours to stop following me around? And while you're at it, tell your twin to stop encouraging him," he said, Elena turned to look at Brea and if looks could kill… Brea would be a goner.

"What's going on?" she asked turning back to Damon.

"Ask eager beaver," Damon said walking away and Jeremy came up to them.

"Jeremy, what is he making you do?" Elena asked angrily.

"He's not making me do anything, Damon and I…" he tried to explain.

Elena cut him off. "Ah, no. No way. No, no, no, no. There is no Damon and you. There's Damon and whoever Damon's using. And those people, they end up dead."

Brea scoffed quietly. "Well he's been there, done that," she muttered but Elena heard and spun around to face Brea.

"So you support him putting himself in danger?" Elena snapped. "He shouldn't be involved," she snapped turning around. "Whatever's going on, Jeremy, I want you to stay out of it."

"I don't really care what you want, Elena," Jeremy retorted. "It's because of you that I'm in this mess in the first place. So, sorry, you don't really get to tell me what I'm going to do. At least Brea doesn't act like I'm completely useless."

"Dude!" Brea hissed knowing that was just going to get her in more trouble with her twin but Jeremy just walked away. Before Elena could turn around and yell at Brea however, she took off, saving the lecture for later.

"Hello boys," Brea said as she approached Matt and Tyler, "I see you escaped Carol, I applaud you. So what are we talking about?" Brea asked as she rested her elbow on Tyler's shoulder.

"Caroline and Matt," Tyler said.

"Ah, I'm like an expert on that topic," Brea smiled. "My two favourite people in the whole world."

"Hey!" Tyler complained.

Matt ignored their banter and said "I just don't get it. She's this amazing girl one minute, and then, this raging jealous freak the next."

"Ah, Caroline Forbes in a nutshell. Good job Donovan," Brea winked.

"Look, you know what I think of Caroline Forbes," Tyler said. "She's an insecure, neurotic, bitchy little twit."

"Hey!" Matt said annoyed.

"Yeah Lockwood, what the hell," Brea said removing her arm from his shoulder.

"But the girl's got heart," Tyler finished. "She means well. Just gotta take the good with the bad sometimes."

As he said that, Brea narrowed her eyes, "that's actually not bad advice Ty."

"I'm gonna go get an extension cord. I'll be right back," Matt said walking off.

"You totally like Mattoline," Brea laughed as she and Tyler walked over to the decoration table.

"Shut up," Tyler smiled and Brea felt someone shove her back.

Brea turned around to yell at them and saw her brother. As she went to jump on him in retaliation he gestured his head for her to leave, and Brea realised he wanted to talk to Tyler. "I'm going to go see if I can find…" Brea said to Tyler as she looked around, "Stefan," she said spotting Stefan. "I'm going to find Stefan," she said taking off before he could reply. Brea walked up the hill that Damon and Stefan were standing at the top of. As she reached them they exchanged looks. "So..," Brea started. "What's going on?" she asked cheerfully.

"Um," Stefan started.

"Mason Lockwood is here with your sister," Damon said.

"Elena!?" Brea nearly yelled. "I swear Stefan I didn't know!"

"No," Damon said scrunching his face up. "Katherine. And here, as in, Mystic Falls. They're working together to get some moonstone."

"Oh right," Brea mumbled. Of course, it wasn't Elena. "Yeah, Jer mentioned something about a moonstone," Brea said remembering their conversation from the other day.

"Ric found out it has to do with some Aztec curse that binds werewolves to only turn on full moons."

"Then why does Katerina… Katherine, want it?" she asked and both brothers just shrugged.

"Gotta go," Damon said looking behind to the side, he then gave Brea's shoulder a friendly slap as he ran off.

"Stefan?" Brea asked looking at him.

"Don't worry Brea, we've got it under control," he said with a smile placing a hand on her arm before running off. Brea turned to look at where they ran off to and saw… Bonnie.

"Hey, Brea," Tyler called as he ran up to her as she was grabbing items out of the back of a truck. "You seen Mason?"

"No, I haven't, come help me," she said as she tried to take out a table.

"I can't find him anywhere," he said as he came to help Brea. "Did you two have a fight or something? You haven't been around at the house for a while."

"We had a disagreement," Brea said. "I actually wanted to talk to him about it. But I haven't seen him for like an hour." The two then carried the table out of the back of the truck.

"Yeah, he blows into town with this big family secret, pisses you off," Tyler groaned. "At least he said he's staying this time, and not taking off to Florida again."

"Let's go inside," Brea suggested. "We can ask other people? Someone must have seen him."

Tyler nodded and they walked inside. "Anyone seen Mason?" he asked Matt, Elena and Stefan.

"He, uh, he took off," Stefan answered. "Said he wasn't sure when he'd be back." Brea's face fell and she realised that Stefan and Damon must have threatened Mason to leave town.

"So weird," Tyler sighed and walked off and Brea followed.

"I'll try calling him," Brea said taking out her phone as Tyler walked off to ask his mom if she'd seen Mason.

Brea dialled his number and Damon's voice answered, "Mason's phone."

"Damon?"

"Yes, Brenna?"

"What did you do to Mason?" Damon paused for a moment and Brea spoke again, "I know you threatened him and made him leave."

"Brenna…"

"Seriously Damon! You wanted to be my friend! I cannot believe you'd make him leave!" she hissed hanging up the phone.

"You get onto him?" Tyler asked coming up to Brea.

"No."

"My mom hasn't seen him either."

"I think I'm going to go home Ty, I'm… tired."

"No worries," He nodded. "I might go check the Grill, maybe he went there."

"You're pretty handy with that thing," Jenna said to Ric as he cut food with a knife and Brea sat at the bench nibbling on food.

"Yeah, well it's a skill," Ric smiled. "Here," Ric said placing a slice of carrot in Jenna's mouth before kissing her.

"Urgh please, not near the food," Brea grumbled.

"Hmm, where's the sea salt?" Ric asked pulling away, smiling at Brea.

"Table," Jenna answered and Ric kissed Jenna again making Brea flick a grape at them. They then separated and Ric went to get the salt. "So what's got you in a bad mood?" Jenna whispered to Brea.

"I think Mason took off again."

"Oh."

"Yeah, so don't worry about it, Jenna. I'll be fine tomorrow," Brea plopped another grape in her mouth.

"Elena's home," Ric said coming into the kitchen.

"I'm going to go see her," Brea said getting off her stool and heading upstairs.

"Hey," Elena said as Brea entered her room.

"What'd you get up to today?"

"Well, we found the moonstone that Jeremy was telling us about. What about you?"

"I think Mason left town again without saying bye. Damon threatened him into leaving." Brea's phone then buzzed and she pulled it out and read Carol Lockwood's text. "Yep, Carol just texted me. Apparently, there's a big opportunity back in Florida. You know for a second I thought Damon actually wanted to be my friend again. But he's just an ass. I'll see you downstairs," Brea said leaving Elena's room. As soon as she left her phone began ringing, it was Katerina. Brea declined the call, but then she got a text that said.

K - Answer the phone. I know you're angry about your little blonde friend, but I need you to pick up.

The phone then rang again. "What! I am not in the mood Katerina, I've had a bad day. My friend left town and I really don't care to hear whatever grovelling you've got."

"Left town?" Katherine laughed. "Of course, he did. I knew your friend, Mason. He was here with me."

"I know that."

"You know? I assumed all your little pathetic friends wouldn't tell you. But they clearly did tell you. You know, him, leaving town, it's well, let's just say an inconvenience for me. So, my apologies Brenna. I have to retaliate. Don't worry. She won't die."

"Wait, what?" Brea asked but Katherine hung up. Elena then came out of her room, after changing clothes, "Can you believe Katherine was here with Mason?" Brea asked and Elena froze.

"It's really weird, right? I didn't want to say anything, but, she looks like me, we've known him forever."

"It's super creepy!"

"So gross. Where's Jeremy?" Elena asked as they entered the kitchen.

"Oh, he went straight up to his room. He said he wasn't hungry," Ric answered.

"How anti-social," Brea grumbled.

"Who's she talking to?" Elena asked referencing Jenna, who was on the phone.

"I don't know," Ric shrugged. "Everything go ok today?"

"There were a few hiccups, but yeah," Elena answered.

"Of course, I understand," Jenna said coming over to the table, "Elena it's for you," she said handing over the phone.

"Who is it?" Elena said. "Hello?" she asked into the phone. Whoever responded, scared Elena as her eyes went wide and she looked up in shock. Elena moved away from earshot for a moment and then turned around looking shocked and both Brea and Ric gave her looks, wanting to know what was happening, but Elena held her finger up. Elena turned away again for a moment, and the next time she turned around, she dropped the phone and screamed, "Jenna! No!" But it was too late, as Ric and Brea turned around, Jenna plunged a knife into her stomach.

"Jenna!" Ric yelled running towards her.

"NO! Brea screamed in absolute despair as she began running after them. Brea slid down next to her hand and applied pressure on the wound, "Jenna! Jenna!" she screamed. "Jeremy!" she screamed as Jeremy came bolting down the stairs.

"Oh my god," he said in shock.

"Call an ambulance!" Brea ordered. Elena went to remove the knife. "No! Don't take it out," Brea said and Elena nodded. Just as Brea's started seeing stars, Jeremy grabbed her arms and dragged her away from Jenna.

"Brea, Brea!" he said spinning her around. "You need to breathe Brea," he said stroking her hair and it was only then she realised that she was hyperventilating and on the verge of passing out. Her breathing began to slow down to a normal rate and she began to cry and fell into her brother's chest. "It's ok Brea, it's ok," she said as he held her head. Not long after an ambulance arrived and took Jenna away and the siblings piled into Ric's car and he drove them all to the hospital.

"Is she ok?" Jeremy asked standing up as he spotted Elena walk into the waiting room. He'd stayed in the waiting room with Brea, he was too worried she'd have another panic attack if she went in with Jenna.

"The doctors told Alaric that she got lucky," Elena said to her siblings and Brea let out a sigh of relief and stood up next to Jeremy. "She's going to make it. She's going to be ok."

"Does she remember what happened?" Jeremy asked.

"No, nothing. It's all part of Katherine's mind compulsion," Elena explained and Brea's breath hitched and Jeremy watched her out of the corner of his eye.

"Why would Katherine hurt Jenna?" Jeremy asked confused as tears started running down Brea's cheek.

"Because she's trying to send a message that she could get to anybody," Elena stuttered as she turned away from her siblings as she began to cry.

"Hey, hey, come here," Jeremy said spinning her back around and pulling her and Brea into a hug. "It's gonna be ok."

"No, it's not," both Brea and Elena stuttered.

"She's going to pay. I don't know how, but she's going to pay," he said as he stroked the back of the twin's head and he felt Brea slowly nod in agreement.

After a while, Elena pulled away. "I have to go do something," Elena said and Brea knew just what she meant. She had to break up with Stefan before anyone else got hurt. "I'll meet you guys at home."

Brea walked up the steps to her house and took a shaky breath before opening the door. She walked straight to the kitchen and stopped as soon as she saw all the blood was gone, she heard a floorboard creak behind her and spun around with a scream, "Tyler?" she asked in shock as she saw him.

"Whoa, easy, Brea," he said walking towards her.

"Did you?" she asked pointing to the cleaned floor.

"Yeah. Knew you wouldn't really be up for it," he said with a small smile.

"Thank you," Brea said running forward into his arms.

"Shh," he comforted her and he rubbed her back. "I know what she means to you."

"Yeah," Brea laughed. "You're probably the only one who knows what that woman's done for me," Brea smiled. "She was the only thing that got me through my parent's death."

"I know," Tyler said as he took her hand and led her to her bedroom. "Here," he said throwing her pyjamas, "go get changed."

Brea nodded and walked into the bathroom and changed before coming out. "Ty, if she died… I don't know how I could survive," she stuttered.

"I know, I know. But Brea, you need to sleep ok. Jeremy texted me. He said you had another panic attack," he said and Brea looked down. "I'll stay ok," he said. Brea nodded and got into her bed, Tyler laid down on the top.

"Thanks, Ty," she whispered. "You really are the best." Tyler then wrapped his arm around her shoulder and she lay against his side, falling asleep.

"Easy," Matt coached Jenna as he helped her through the doorway. It'd been 2 weeks since her accident and Brea had been spending most of her time at the hospital. She didn't want to be in her house without some form of a guardian. "Grab the door, Jer," Matt instructed as Brea and Elena followed them in.

"Yeah, Jer, get the door," Brea teased.

"Stop fussing, I'm fine," Jenna said trying to get them all to relax.

"The doctor said that you have to take it easy," Elena lectured.

"Yeah, you don't wanna rip the stitches, haemorrhage and die, all right?" Jeremy said shutting the door. Brea turned and lightly slapped him over the head.

"Yeah, the only thing I'm going to die from is embarrassment," Jenna moaned.

"No…" Matt tried to reassure her.

"I walked into a knife," Jenna said in annoyance. "How does somebody do that?"

Brea, Elena and Jeremy all froze behind their aunt, wracked with guilt that she didn't know the truth. "It was a freak accident," Elena said.

"Yeah, it happens," Jeremy threw in.

"Yeah, I mean, I've done it like, 20 times at the Grill," Matt joked and Jenna laughed. "Ok, I'm being nice. All right, easy," Matt said lowering Jenna onto the couch.

"Yeah I guess it's not as embarrassing as what Brea did," Jenna smiled and Brea gave her a confused look. "When you were 8."

"Oh no," Brea said eyes widening. "Why do you have to bring that up!"

"Oh my god, I remember that," Elena laughed.

"She and Jer were trying to learn how to do the cha-cha slide at the top of the stairs. Brea tripped and fell all the way down the stairs. Fractured her skull," Jenna reminisced.

"Thanks, Jenna," Brea said sarcastically as she covered her aunt with a blanket.

"What should I do with this?" Matt asked holding up a bag of food he grabbed from the Grill.

"I got it," Elena said taking it and heading to the kitchen with Jeremy.

Matt and Brea sat down on the table in front of Jenna. "Are you guys still going to the masquerade ball?" Jenna asked, sad that she'd have to miss it.

"Yeah, Tyler would kill me if I backed out. I'm sorry you can't come, Jenna," Brea smiled.

"It's ok. You better have fun for me."

"I sure will," Brea laughed.

"I can drive you if you want?" Matt asked.

"You sure?" Brea asked.

"Yeah of course."

"Thanks, Matt."

"Hang on, I thought you were getting ready with Caroline here?" Jenna asked confusedly.

"Oh we were, but then she pulled out. So now you only have to give me advice."

"I'll be back," Jeremy called out and Matt gave him a small wave. Elena and Brea locked eyes and were suspicious of where Jeremy was headed.

"I better take off," Matt said standing up and handing Jenna a book.

"Yeah, you probably should," Brea smiled. "I suppose it takes a long time for you to look good," Brea said with a sad face.

Matt laughed. "Funny!"

A couple of hours later, Brea was ready to go and Matt had just pulled up. "Keep me updated on what's happening," Jenna called from the couch with Ric. "I want to feel like I'm there."

"I'll take a photo-albums worth of pictures for you," Brea laughed. "See you later," she called before walking out the door to the car.

"Ready?" Matt asked as she got in.

"Let's party!" Brea threw her hands up.

As they arrived at the Lockwoods the door on Brea's side was opened. "Hey," Tyler said helping her out.

"Yo."

"Thanks for coming with me, again."

"Yeah well you did promise me you'd wolf whistle Alaric at the Grill, so how could I say no?" Brea smiled.

"Come on you psycho," Tyler said leading her inside, leaving Matt on his own. Tyler led her straight into his dad's office.

"You ok Ty?" Brea asked confused as to why they were separated from the party.

"Yeah, I just… it's weird you know. I spent my life hating my dad and now tonight, tonight was his night. The masquerade ball was his thing, and he's not here."

"I know Ty," Brea said sitting down next to him on the couch, she then pulled a flask out of her purse. "Got it from Ric's stash, he likes the good stuff," she said handing it to him. After a few minutes, Matt came into the study with Aimee and Sarah and Brea quickly hid the flask. "Matthew!" Brea greeted.

"Sup," Matt slurred, clearly already drunk waving a vodka bottle in the air.

Aimee and Sarah then started dancing. "We're really not supposed to be in here," Tyler cautioned Matt.

"Yeah, I know," Matt agreed. "But we really need to turn this party up. Another shot?" Matt said handing Brea and Tyler shot glasses.

"Hey, I want a shot," Aimee said coming over.

"Me too," Sarah said bouncing over. "And then we have to dance."

"Yes," Aimee agreed.

Brea and Tyler downed their shots. "You know, usually it's me corrupting the both of you," Tyler smiled and Brea and Matt. "I like this," he said and Matt topped up their glasses and they downed another shot.

"Ok, let's go party," Aimee said. Tyler took Brea's hand and they giggled their way out of the study to the dance floor. Brea was beginning to feel a bit tipsy and nearly tripped on the way out and they all giggled.

Brea and Tyler were dancing on the dance floor and sneaking sips of the flask and they were getting drunker by the moment. Brea looked around and saw Stefan looking around at the crowd. "Stef!" she called and he looked over. Brea waved enthusiastically and he gave her a nod before looking away making Brea glare before looking back at Tyler. "Flask time," she hissed and they crouched over taking turns downing more of the flask.

"Have you guys seen Matt?" Aimee asked coming up to them.

The shock of not knowing someone was there, combined with the alcohol made Brea trip and Tyler caught her. "No!" she answered in a high-pitched voice before bursting into laughter.

"You're weird," Tyler mused. "Maybe he went back to the study?" Tyler suggested. "You look around Aimee, we'll check inside," Tyler said as he began to lead Brea inside. As Brea got to the steps of the Lockwood house her phone rang and it was Elena.

"Twin!" Brea answered.

"Are you drunk?" Elena asked.

"What! No!."

"What's going on Brea? What are they doing at the party?"

"Who?" Brea asked confused.

"Everyone's been avoiding me."

"You feeling lonely?" Brea asked as she waved Tyler to go on again.

"Where are you?"

"By the Lockwood house."

"Come and meet me."

"And where are you, Elena?"

"In the bushes, I'm waving to you."

"Where?"

"To your left," Elena directed. "No your other left."

"Oh so you are," Brea noted as she saw her sister poke out of the bushes. "I'm on my way twinny," Brea cheered before hanging up and stumbling her way over to Elena.

As she arrived at the bushes Elena popped out and yanked her by her arm into the bush, causing her to fall over. "What's happening?" Elena asked as Brea lay in the dirt.

"Ouch," Brea groaned. "I don't know what you're talking about." Elena then shushed her sister and leapt out and dragged another victim into the plants. "Jer!" Brea said happily.

"What the hell is going on?!" Elena asked angrily.

"Sibling party!" Brea cheered. "Want a drink?" she offered the flask, only for Elena to snatch it away.

"Let me just get Bonnie, then I'll tell you," Jeremy said taking out his phone. A moment later Bonnie appeared.

"What are you doing here?" she asked Elena. "You were meant to spend the night with Matt and Tyler, you shouldn't be involved," she said to Brea.

"What's going on?" the twins asked.

"Here," Jeremy said helping Brea up who was still lying in the dirt. "We're trying to kill Katherine. Here. Tonight," as he said this Brea nearly fell down again, but he held her up.

"What!" she said in shock.

"You guys are trying to kill her here?" Elena asked in disbelief.

"We saw an opportunity, we knew we had to take it," Jeremy said sitting Brea down on the bench.

"You can't kill her," Brea breathed.

"We have to," Jeremy said.

"No, we have to make her pay. We don't have to kill her!" Brea defended.

"Look, Brea, this is the best chance we had to keep everyone safe. We had to," Jeremy tried to reason.

"Ok, stop with the 'we'," Elena snapped. "Are you guys crazy? You could get yourselves killed."

"We know what we're doing, Elena," Bonnie tried to reason.

"And how am I supposed to feel if one of you gets hurt because of me?" Elena argued.

"It's not just you anymore, Elena," Jeremy pointed out. "She's messed with all of us. She has to be stopped."

"Yes, she has to be stopped," Brea said. "Stopped doesn't mean dead!"

"It's the best option," Jeremy said. "We don't have another choice!"

"There's always a choice Jeremy!" Brea yelled. "We have to stop this," she said standing up.

"What else can we do?" Jeremy said annoyed.

"I don't know, desiccate her? That's punishment enough!"

"She hurt Jenna!"

"She's my sister as well Jeremy! I may not remember her that well, but I know enough to know that there was a time that I would've done anything for her!" Brea demanded.

"AHH!" Elena screamed lurching forward and grabbing at her back. Elena fell forward onto Brea, and Brea, still unsteady on her feet fell to the ground as Jeremy grabbed Elena.

"Elena!" Jeremy said in shock.

"What is it?" Bonnie asked as they knelt on the ground to look her over.

Brea scrambled to her knees and grabbed her sister. "Elena! What's happening? Oh my god," Brea whispered taking her hand off her sister's back and seeing it drenched in blood. "Why are you bleeding?" Brea asked shakily as Elena screamed in pain.

"What's happening?" Jeremy asked confused.

"AHH!" Elena screamed again, shoving Brea's hand off her arm to see more blood pouring out of her arm.

"What's going on?" Jeremy and Brea yelled.

"Jeremy, it's Katherine," Bonnie realised and Brea looked up realising the two were linked.

"It's ok Lena, I'm going to make it stop," Brea said stumbling to her feet and sprinting off. Brea knew Stefan well enough to know that he wouldn't kill her in the open, they had to be out of the way. Brea knew the Lockwood house like the back of her hand and knew they'd be in a room out of the way, where they wouldn't be interrupted. So she ran there. As Brea got upstairs she heard banging and ran faster. "Stop!" she screamed as she fell over in the doorway due to her drunkenness. The Salvatore's ignored her, figuring she was there to save Katherine. "Stop!" she screamed again as Stefan grabbed Katherine and held her down.

Damon went to stake her when Jeremy ran up behind Brea. "Stop! You're hurting Elena. Everything you're doing to her is hurting Elena," he explained to a frozen Damon.

"I tried to tell you," Brea panted from the ground and Damon turned to face them.

Katherine smirked from the ground and stood up. "You think you two are the only ones with a witch on your side? Wrong. And something tells me that my witch is better than your witch," she teased as Jeremy pulled Brea up from the ground.

"You ok?" Jeremy asked Brea and she nodded.

"Jeremy, Brenna, go check on Elena, make sure she's ok," Stefan said. "Go!" he said and Jeremy ran off.

Brea went to follow when Katherine said. "Stay Brenna."

"Ok," Brea slurred as she slumped down onto a seat.

"Let's all make sure poor Elena is ok," Katherine growled. "Just a bit more pressure," Katherine said taking the stake and slicing her palm open and Stefan smacked it away.

"Now how about that moonstone?" Katherine said sitting down next to her. "The four of us together, just like old times. The sister who was my best friend. The brother who loved me too much," Katherine said looking at Damon. "And the brother who didn't love me enough," she said turning her head to Stefan.

"And the evil slut vampire who only loved herself," Damon quipped.

"Not true," Katherine smirked. "What happened to you, Damon? You used to be so sweet and polite."

"Oh that Damon died a long time ago," Damon said.

"Good. He was a bore," Katherine said.

"I liked him," Brea slurred.

"Why don't you two stop antagonising each other," he said to Damon and Katherine.

Brea went to walk over to Stefan and tripped, Stefan quickly zipped forward and caught her. Brea brought a hand up to her head and rubbed. "Why did I let Matt and Ty give me all those shots," she moaned, standing up as the room continued spinning.

"I thought I told Caroline to get you to stop hanging around the Lockwoods?" Katherine growled. "And all you've done is hang out with that dog more."

Stefan moved Brea to a chair further from Katherine so she could sit down. "Don't call him that."

"He's dangerous."

"I don't care!" Brea spat.

Katherine then flicked her eyes to Stefan. "Where's the moonstone?

"What do you want with it?" Stefan asked.

"She won't tell you," Brea said, with her head in her hands.

"Does Elena enjoy having both of you worship at her altar?" Katherine taunted and Brea looked up to glare at her.

"That was really desperate, Katherine," Stefan smirked.

"It was," Brea agreed, Katherine turned her glare to her and Brea shut her mouth.

"Don't you think that we can see through you?" Stefan asked.

"So it doesn't bother you that Damon is in love with your girlfriend?" Katherine asked.

"Oh stop it," Stefan said as Damon walked closer.

"Or what? You'll hurt me?" Katherine teased. "Come on, Stefan. Everything that I feel, Elena feels. So go ahead." Katherine then gasped. "Or better yet. Kiss me, Damon. She'll feel that too."

"Urgh," Brea moaned. "Please shut up."

"You know this whole Mason thing has me a bit confused," Stefan said changing the subject and Brea's breath hitched in a way that didn't go unnoticed by all the vampires in the room. "Why a werewolf? The moonstone can break a curse that would help them destroy all vampires. So, what's in that for you?"

"Sorry about your pet wolf," Damon said. "You should have kept him on a tighter leash."

"Shut up Damon!" Brea snapped.

"I'll have to remember that for next time," Katherine said to Damon. "He's not the only wolf in town."

"Seriously! You get your hooks in Mason, kill Caroline, stab Jenna! What is wrong with you?!" Katherine just looked down and walked away.

Damon went back to staring at the invisible wall Bonnie placed on the room, waiting for it to disappear. "Dammit, where's that witch?"

"We could play charades!" Katherine suggested.

"That's a hard no," Brea said with a fake smile.

"You bargained the moonstone," Stefan said in realisation.

"What are you mumbling about over there?" Damon asked turning around.

"When you struck a deal with George Lockwood to help you fake your death, you told me that you gave George something that he needed. It was the moonstone, wasn't it?" Stefan asked.

"Good for you, Stefan, 2+2," Katherine answered as she came to stand next to Brea. "And it would have worked except that people found out I wasn't in the tomb. Thanks to you, by the way, have I mentioned how inconvenient your obsession with me has been?"

"Hmm, you and me both, honey," Damon said taking a sip of his drink.

"Why do you need it back?" Stefan asked.

"I love you in a suit. So dashing," Katherine said, avoiding the question.

"And what were you doing with it in the first place?" Stefan asked and Brea frowned, she had a feeling she knew the answer to that. She looked towards Katherine and saw her sister smiling at her as if the two of them had a secret.

"You're wasting your breath, Stefan," Damon sighed.

"Unless it wasn't yours, to begin with," Stefan surmised. "In 1864, you faked your death. Who were you running from, Katherine?"

"In 1987, you were in Chicago, at a concert of all places. With that wench Lexi," Katherine said and Stefan's face turned quickly to confusion. "Come on Stefan, don't look so surprised. Of course, I checked in on you over the years. You were standing in the front row dancing all night. You were watching Bon Jovi, and I was watching you."

"Who were you running from?" Stefan pressed again. Katherine then silently mouthed to Stefan, 'I love you'.

"I'm not going to tell you anything Stefan, no matter how gorgeous you look. Brenna knows. Get her to remember and you'll have all your answers," Katherine sighed walking over to the window. Stefan and Damon looked at Brea wide-eyed and she just shrugged, she had no clue what Katherine was talking about.

"Can I please go back to the party?" Brea sighed. "I spent weeks helping set this up and I'm missing the whole thing," Brea whined. Katherine just turned to face her and shot her a smile and Brea slumped back in her chair.

"I'll have one of those," Katherine said to Damon as he poured his drink.

"Right away Miss Katherine," Damon responded in a mocking voice and he poured her a drink raising it up for her to take.

"Thank you," she said taking it. Before anyone could respond, Damon lunged at Katherine and held her up against the wall stake above her heart.

"No!" Brea screamed. "Damon stop! Damon! Don't hurt her! Think of Elena!" she screamed as Stefan tried to wrench Damon's arm back.

"No! Damon, don't," Stefan ordered.

"Yes, Damon, please," Katherine taunted, egging him on.

"The second the spell is lifted, I"m gonna drive this stake right through your heart," Damon hissed.

"God, you're hot. When did you get so hot?" Katherine said grabbing Damon's tie and causing him to let go.

"You are not going to hurt Katherine," Brea growled at Damon as Katherine walked towards Stefan. Katherine stopped and turned around to look at her sister, giving her a small, genuine smile.

"Katherine," a voice said from the doorway. "The spell in this room has been broken, you're free to leave," she said coming inside.

"Thank god," Katherine said walking up to the woman.

"When I hand this over," the woman said gesturing to the moonstone she was holding. "My debt to you is over."

"Done," Katherine said.

"I owe you nothing."

"I said done. Give it," Katherine said.

"I wouldn't do that," Damon warned.

Katherine then turned to Brea. "Come on Brenna." Brea made to move towards Katherine as the lady placed the moonstone in Katherine's hand. Immediately, Katherine tensed up and started making choking noises.

"Katerina?" Brea asked. "Katerina!" Brea said desperately as Katherine's legs started giving way.

Brea ran towards her and grabbed her, to support her as she fell to the floor.

"You should have told me another witch was involved," the lady hissed. "She's a Bennett witch, Katherine. But I'm sure you knew that.

"What did you do?" Brea asked the witch as she held Katherine.

"Wait, Elena!" Stefan realised in panic.

"Elena's fine," the woman answered. "The spell is broken. She'll hear quickly, Bonnie's with her. As for Katherine, it's just a simple incapacitation spell. It won't kill her," she answered as Brea laid Katherine's head in her lap. "I apologise for my involvement."

"Now to kill the bitch," Damon said stalking towards an unconscious Katherine.

"No!" Brea screamed, tears in her eyes. "No, Damon, please. Please. Anything else, please just don't kill her."

"Well, what do you suggest we do with her huh?" Damon snapped.

"Put her in the tomb, use the same spell. Just please, please don't kill her," Brea cried.

Damon and Stefan locked eyes and Stefan nodded. "Fine," Damon snapped. "Only because I owe you. And I mean it, if the bitch gets out, she's dead."

"She won't."

"I will kill her."

"She won't get out." And with that, Damon took Katherine's body and Brea followed him to the car where he loaded her body in the back seat. "Thank you," she breathed brushing the hair out of Katherine's face.

"Well, I'm only doing it for you," Damon sighed.

"I know," Brea breathed. "I'm going to find Elena. Make sure she's ok," Brea said.

Damon nodded. "Text me when you get home ok?" he asked and Brea nodded, walking off.

"Hey," Elena said coming up behind Brea.

"I'm sorry I didn't come back."

"I know, Stefan told me. She made you stay," Elena said.

"I didn't want you to get hurt more."

"How do you feel?" Elena asked.

"About what?"

"Well I was talking about how drunk you were earlier, but I guess the question also works on a deeper level," Elena smiled.

"Yeah. I'm still a little tipsy, so you're driving," Brea giggled. "And she's not dead, which is the main thing. I've been better though." Brea then looked down as she felt a tingling on her finger, "Elena…" she said raising her hand. "Danger ring is glowing," Brea said nervously and Elena tensed.

"I'm going to call Jer," Elena said. "Let's just get to the car and get home, whatever it's for we'll be safer inside," Elena said taking Brea's hand and pulling her through all of the cars to find her own whilst she called their brother. "Hey. Yeah, Jeremy. I've got my car. Tell Bonnie that whatever she did, I'm starting to feel better. Yeah, you can drive her home. I think we're both just going to go straight to bed," Elena said. "Ok," she said before hanging up. Brea saw Elena stop walking but she kept going, figuring she must be texting someone. A moment later she heard Elena's muffled scream and the light from her ring got brighter than it had been before. Brea spun around to see a man in a mask throw Elena onto the hood of a car, knocking her unconscious. Brea, not thinking, ran towards her unconscious sister and the man grabbed her, covering her mouth, before she could fight back, she felt a needle go into her arm and her vision began to blur until she passed out.

Chapter Text

EDITED OCT22

Brea moaned as her head lolled to one side. Her head felt as though it weighed a tonne and she felt as though she was going to be sick. A moment after she became aware of what was going on, she felt herself being picked up and she let out another moan. "Shut up," a man hissed at her. Brea tried to open her eyes but they were too heavy. She tried to move her hands but they were tied together.

"Brea?" she heard Elena whisper. Whoever was carrying her then laid her on the couch and Brea managed to open her eyes enough to see that she was half lying on top of her sister. The man then crouched down on the couch and untied the ropes binding Elena and Brea's legs. He then grabbed their arms and did the same. "What do you want?" Elena asked.

"Shh," the man said raising a finger.

"Please, I'm hurt," Elena pleaded.

"I know," the man smiled before veins popped out under his eyes and fangs appeared.

"Uhh," Elena let out in fright.

"Just a taste," the man said leaning down towards Elena as she screamed.

"Trevor!" a lady's voice snapped as he was an inch away from biting Elena's arm. "Control yourself."

"Buzzkill," he said standing up.

"What do you want?" Elena asked.

"My god. You look just like her," the woman said. She then snarled looking at Brea. "You are her." Brea narrowed her eyes, confused by the hostility.

"But I'm not," Elena said. "Please, whatever you want…"

"Be quiet!"

"But I'm not Katherine," Elena said standing up. "My name is Elena Gilbert. You don't have to do this."

"I know who you are. I said be quiet."

"What do you want?" Elena pushed. The woman had then had enough and she slapped Elena across the face. Elena went flying through the air, landing face first on the couch unconscious and Brea woke up quickly seeing that and screamed.

"I want you to be quiet," she snarled before turning to Brea. "One more sound out of you and I swear… I may not be able to touch you, but I can hurt her," Rose said pointing to Elena, and Brea, not wanting to test the lady's patience, nodded.

Half an hour later, Brea felt Elena stir next to her. As she opened her eyes, Brea held her finger to her lips, making sure she stayed quiet. "How are the girls?" she heard the man she worked out was called Trevor ask.

"You didn't touch them did you?" Rose, the woman who slapped Elena asked.

"Give me some credit," he said back. "So you called him?"

"No. I called one of his contacts. You know how this works."

"Did you or did you not get the message to Elijah?" as soon as Brea heard Trevor ask this her head snapped towards the direction they were in, that name sounding terribly familiar. Brea turned to her sister and jerked her head to the door. Elena nodded and they stood up, quietly making their way across the room.

"They say he got it," Rose answered as the twins reached the doorway.

"Wonderful," Trevor answered. "And what?"

"So, that's it, Trevor. He either got it, or he didn't. We just have to wait," Rose said as the twins started tiptoeing down the hallway.

"Look, it's not too late. We can leave them here. We don't have to go through with this."

"I'm sick of running."

"Yeah? Well, running keeps us from dying."

"Elijah is old school. If he accepts our deal, we're free. Besides, if we've kept Brenna unharmed he's likely to pardon us on the spot. As soon as he sees she's fine he'll accept," Rose said. Elena took another step forward and stood on a creaky floorboard and the twins froze. "You!" Rose snapped. "There's nothing around here for miles," she said storming up to the twins. "If either of you thinks you're getting out of this house, you're tragically wrong. Understand?"

"Are you serious? You little bitch," Trevor growled charging at Brea. "After everything you've done to us already," he hissed. "You have to pay," he yelled fangs at the ready. Trevor slammed Brea into the wall, prepared to bite her but Rose ripped him off her and threw him across the room.

"You idiot!" she yelled. "You leave so much as a mark on her and we are dead! No negotiations!" she yelled as Trevor stalked off.

"Thank you," Brea breathed in shock as Elena pulled Brea to her.

"Shut up!" Rose hissed at her.

"Who's Elijah?" Elena asked.

"He's your worst nightmare," Rose said walking off.

"We could play rock, paper, scissors?" Brea suggested.

"No, don't be stupid," Elena said rolling her eyes. "Come on. We need to get answers," she said standing up.

"Woah. No. Lena, if you couldn't tell, for whatever reason they hate my guts. I really don't want them killing me."

"You heard her. She said they can't. So let's go," Elena said, getting off the couch to find Rose. Brea sighed before following. "Why are we here?" Elena asked when they found Rose.

"You keep asking me these questions like I'm going to answer then," Rose said walking to cover the windows so the sunlight didn't come in and burn them.

"Why won't you?" Brea asked and Rose froze to turn and glare at her. "Why don't you ask the questions, Lena," Brea whispered as she moved to stand slightly behind her sister.

"Look, it's not like we can go anywhere," Elena said moving further into the room. Brea grabbed her arm and followed right behind her. "The least you can do is tell me what you want with me."

"I personally want nothing," Rose said. "I'm just a delivery service."

"Delivery to who? Elijah?" Elena asked.

Rose laughed. "2 points to the eavesdroppers."

"Who is he? Is he a vampire?" Elena pushed.

"He's one of the vampires, the originals."

"Originals?" Brea asked, it just sounded so familiar to her. "What do you mean the originals?"

"Keep her quiet, I only have so much self-control," Rose warned Elena. "Haven't the Salvatores been teaching you vampire history?" she asked Elena.

Brea and Elena exchanged a look. "So you know Stefan and Damon," Elena said.

"I know of them. A hundred years back, a friend of mine tried to set me up with Stefan. She said he was one of the good ones. I'm more of a sucker for the bad boys, though, but I digress."

"Who are the originals?" Elena asked.

Rose turned around, "Well you can ask your sister all about that. Trevor and I have been running for 500 years. We're tired. We want it over. We're using you two to negotiate ourselves out of an old mess."

"But why us?" Elena asked.

"She, well, she's the original, original groupie," Rose smirked. "And you, because you're a Petrova doppelgänger. You're the key to breaking the curse."

"Curse? The sun and the moon curse?" Elena realised.

"You do know your history."

"What do you mean I'm the key? The moonstone is what breaks the curse."

"No. The moonstone is what binds the curse. The sacrifice is what breaks it."

"Sacrifice?" Elena asked in shock.

"The blood of the doppelgänger. You're the doppelgänger. Which means in order to break the curse, you're the one that has to die," Rose answered before looking at Brea. "I see you're only interested in saving one sister from this fate." Brea looked at Rose in confusion. "What? Don't want to save this one?" she snarled before walking away.

"Tell me more," Elena said, stopping Rose from walking off.

"Captivity has made her pushy, eh?" Trevor asked from behind the twins, making Brea jump and move in front of Elena. She knew Trevor would kill her the first chance he got. "What do you want to know, doppelicious?" Trevor asked.

"Who are you running from?" Elena asked.

"The originals," he answered.

"Yeah, she said that," Elena said exasperatedly. "What does that mean?"

Trevor looked at Brea. "Keeping secrets now are we?" he asked. "It's the first family," he said kicking something on the floor. "The old world. Rose and I pissed them off," Rose then cleared her throat. "Correction. I pissed them off. Rose had my back. And for over half a millennium, they've wanted us dead."

"What did you do?" Elena asked as he threw a book at Brea's feet, making her jump in the air.

"He made the same mistake countless others did," Rose answered. "He trusted Katerina Petrova."

"Oh," Brea breathed, knowing that somehow her involvement with Katherine was the reason they hated her.

"Katherine," Elena said in shock.

"Mmm," Rose confirmed. "The one and only. The first Petrova doppelganger."

"I helped her escape her fate. And now I've, sorry, we've, been marked ever since."

"Which is why we're not going to make the same mistake again," Rose said and she and Trevor walked off.

Elena sighed and stormed off. Brea panicked and ran after. "Wait for me, wait for me," she said chasing after her. Elena walked back into the room they were originally in and fell down on the couch and Brea followed suit. "Want to play rock, paper, scissors now?"

Elena just glared at the suggestion. "What were they talking about? Why do they hate you? How do you know the originals?"

"I don't know Lena. Remember, my memories don't work."

"Right," she sighed readjusting herself. As she did, the girls heard a crinkle and looked at each other. Elena reached underneath her foot and pulled out a piece of paper that wasn't there before.

"Do you think I did that?" Brea asked. "I mean I did just say paper."

"It's from Bonnie," Elena whispered. "Stefan and Damon, they're coming," she said and Brea smiled.

"Eat the note."

"What? No way."

"They'll be suspicious if they find a note," Brea said.

"Look," Elena said shaking her head tucking it in between the couch cushion. "Hidden and no need to eat paper."

"Good idea," Brea said.

"Did you really think you made that appear?" Elena asked, but before Brea could respond, Rose walked into the room. Brea immediately edged closer to Elena, still not trusting Rose. As Rose moved around the room, Trevor ran in.

"He's here," he said panicked. Elena and Brea locked eyes in fright. "This was a mistake."

"No," Rose tried to comfort. "I told you I would get us out of this. You have to test me."

"No! He wants me dead, Rose! And it's all her and Katerina's fault," Trevor snapped pointing at Brea.

"Me?" Brea asked confused, but they ignored her. "I don't even remember," Brea muttered to Elena who gently hushed her.

"I can't do this," he said freaking out. "You give her to him, and he'll have mercy on you, but I need to get out of here."

"Hey!" Rose said grabbing his hands. "What are we?"

"We're family. Forever."

Brea looked over at Elena and saw sorrow in her eyes for their situation, she immediately nudged her with her elbow and glared. They were going to hand them over to a man who sounded like the devil. These were not people to feel sorry for. There was then a loud three knocks on the front door and everyone tensed. "You're scared," Elena said stating the obvious.

"Stay here with them," Rose said to Trevor. "Don't make a sound. And whatever you do, do not hurt touch her," Rose warned, pointing to Brea.

"Lena, I'm kind of freaking out," Brea said shakily as the girls began pacing.

"I know. I know. It's ok. They're coming," Elena said trying to comfort her sister. They heard footsteps enter the room and they both spun around. Brea gasped loudly when she saw the man. She knew this man, Elijah. She knew him well. She recognised him for a few dreams she had, she never remembered the dreams well, but she knew he was in them.

In a blink of an eye, Elijah was in front of Brea, looking her up and down. "I trust you are unharmed?" he asked concerned and Brea quickly nodded. "Very good," he said with a smile before zipping off again, this time stopping in front of Elena. Elena was shaking in fear and was on the verge of crying. Elijah dipped in head down into her neck before inhaling deeply. He slowly pulled away. "Human. It's impossible. Hello there," he greeted. Brea, knowing he wouldn't hurt her, grabbed Elena's hand and pulled her sister behind her. "Oh, Brenna," he said with a smile. "I hope we won't be playing this game again," Brea just stared, nearly crying herself. "Well, we have a long journey ahead of us. We should be going."

Elena then looked over to Rose. "Please don't let him take us," she pleaded. Rose looked down, clearly feeling guilty.

"One last piece of business, then we're done." Elijah then leant in close to Brea's ears and whispered so quietly she barely heard it. "I'd recommend closing your eyes," he then turned away to walk towards Trevor. Brea looked down at her ring and saw it wasn't glowing, she was in no danger here, but she knew Elena was.

"I've waited so long for this day, Elijah," Trevor said terrified. "I'm truly very sorry."

"Oh, no, your apologies are not necessary," Elijah said.

"Yes. Yes, it is. You trusted me with Katerina. I let myself be manipulated by them… and I failed you."

"Oh, yes, you are the guilty one," Elijah said walking circles around Trevor. "Rose aided you because she was loyal to you. That, I honour. Where was your loyalty?"

"I beg your forgiveness."

Elijah gave him a smile, but Brea could tell it was insincere. "So granted," Elijah said before swinging his arm, hitting Trevor's head clean off. Both Brea and Rose screamed. Rose in pain, Brea in fear. Elena just stood there in shock. The twins both pulled each other closer in absolute fear.

"You!" Rose hissed.

"Don't. Rose," Elijah warned. "Now that you are free. Come," Elijah said holding out his hand for the twins.

"No, what about the moonstone?" Elena spouted out in panic and Brea slapped a hand over her mouth.

"What do you know about the moonstone?" Elijah asked before looking at Brea. "I know you didn't tell her." Brea narrowed her eyes at this, the way he said it, it was as if he knew she couldn't tell Elena.

Elena removed Brea's hand from her mouth and said, "I know that you need it, and I know where it is."

"Yes?"

"We can help you get it," Elena offered.

"Tell me where it is."

Elena shook her head and said, "it doesn't work that way."

Elijah tensed his jaw in amusement. "Are you negotiating with me?" he asked before looking at Rose.

"It's the first I've heard of it," Rose snapped.

Elijah stared into Elena's eyes and then looked her up and down. "What is this vervain doing around your neck?" he asked before ripping it off.

"Uh oh," Brea said realising Elena could now be compelled and would inadvertently tell Elijah where Katherine was. She moved to stop Elijah but he simply stuck one arm out and that held Brea back.

Elijah grabbed the back of Elena's head, and she tried desperately to avoid his gaze. "Tell me where the moonstone is," Elijah ordered when he caught Elena's sight.

"In the tomb underneath the church ruins," she asked in a trance.

"What is it doing there?"

"It's with Katherine."

"Interesting," he said before they all heard glass shatter upstairs. He let go of Elena's head and she and Brea locked eyes. It was Stefan and Damon. "What is that?"

"I don't know," Rose answered.

"Who else is in this house?"

"I don't know!" Elijah sighed and then grabbed Elena's arm harshly and simply took Brea's hand. He forced them to move quickly out of the room. "Move!" he yelled. As they entered the foyer of the mansion they were in, he spun Elena around viciously as he saw a figure run past. It was the Salvatores. He threw Elena into Rose's arms and merely guided Brea to stand near Rose, who then grabbed on tightly to her arm, not caring if she left a bruise. They then heard a bang coming from the stairs. "Rose," Elijah warned.

"I don't know who it is."

"Up here," a voice Brea recognised as Stefan's called. Elijah then ran to the top of the stairs.

"Down here," Damon's voice taunted. Elijah spun back around and his hand was impaled with a wooden arrow. Whilst Elijah was distracted she felt herself being whisked away and she slammed her eyes closed. When she felt herself stop moving she opened them and saw Stefan standing over her, hand over her mouth and Elena just beside her.

"Excuse me," Brea heard Elijah call out. "To whom it may concern. You're making a great mistake if you think that you can beat me. You can't. Do you hear that? I repeat," he said and there was a snap, as he broke something. "You cannot beat me. So I want the girls on the count of 3, or heads will roll. Do we understand each other?"

Brea then pushed away from Stefan and ran into the open at the top of the stairs. "Please Elijah, please," she begged. "Please don't hurt her. Don't hurt any of them," she pleaded and she saw Elijah's gaze soften before Elena ran out.

"I'll come with you," she said and Brea put her head in her hands. "Just please don't hurt our friends. They just wanted to help us out."

"You are such an idiot!" Brea snapped. "You can't just stay out of sight?"

Brea's rant was then interrupted as Elijah ran forward making both girls gasp in shock.

"What game are you playing with me?" he asked Elena. Elena then pulled out her hand and pulled the pin off what turned out to be a vervain grenade and threw it at Elijah. Elena then grabbed Brea's waist and pulled them both to the ground so they wouldn't get hurt. Brea heard Elijah scream in pain and she pulled away from her sister, to peer around the corner. She saw Elijah look up and his face was healing fast, too fast for any normal vampire. He shook his head and started to make his way up the stairs to the girls but Stefan came out and started firing his gun at him in an attempt to keep him away from the girls. The bullets didn't even affect Elijah in the slightest. Stefan, running out of options, charged him, throwing both of them down the stairs. Elijah got straight back to his feet as Stefan lay on the ground. Elijah went to attack Stefan and Brea was just about to scream at him, when Damon stabbed Elijah through the chest with a wooden coat rack, pinning him against the door. Brea took a shaky deep breath at seeing him like that, not knowing why that made her sad to see.

Rose then popped out and saw Elijah and proceeded to run off. Damon went to go after her but Elena called out, "just let her go." Damon's face immediately lit up as he looked up the stairs at Elena and Brea narrowed her eyes.

Elena then took off running down the stairs and into Stefan's open arms. "Hey, come here. Are you hurt? Are you ok?"

Brea slowly made her way down the stairs and Damon met her at the bottom, pulling her into a tight hug. "I'm glad you're ok," he breathed.

"Me too," Brea laughed nervously, she couldn't take her eyes off Elijah's body.

Brea spent the whole car ride home asleep. She was exhausted. Elena spent the entire car ride filling Damon and Stefan in on everything that happened that day. Elena had also called Jeremy from the car to let him know they were ok, and now they were finally home. "Brea!? Elena!?" they heard Jeremy call. Elena and Brea smiled and slowly made their way upstairs, sore and tired from the past few days. Brea was still in her dress from the masquerade ball.

"Oh my god," Bonnie breathed pulling Elena into a hug and Jeremy gave Brea a bear hug.

"Are you both ok?" he asked them.

"We're ok," Brea assured pulling away.

"We're ok," Elena confirmed. "We got your message," Elena told Bonnie and Brea pulled away from her brother to smile at her friend.

"Thank you, Bonnie," Brea smiled. "It really helped," she said pulling her into a hug as Elena hugged Jeremy.

"Brea thought she made the paper appear," Elena blurted out.

"Dude!" Brea gasped as Jeremy and Bonnie sniggered. "I said paper and about 5 seconds later some paper appeared, it's not as ridiculous as it seems," Brea defended.

"Jer Bear!" Brea called out to her brother as he entered the kitchen.

"Nope," he said turning around and walking away.

"Wait! Come back! Come on Jer," Brea begged as Elena looked at her weirdly.

"What's going on with you two?" Elena asked.

"Urgh, he's being pissy because I told him this morning that Ric was cooler than him. I really hit a nerve."

Elena frowned in amusement. "Why would you say that?" she asked.

"He told me you were the prettier twin."

Elena then snorted. "True, but what did you do to make him say that?"

"Look it wasn't my fault. I opened his bedroom door as he was about to open it, so the door smacked him in the head," Brea explained and Elena laughed. "I didn't do it on purpose."

"Ok then," Elena smiled standing up. "Come on, we have to go to Stefan's before school, he said it was important."

"Rightio," Brea said standing up, "I'll take my own car, you take yours. I have to make a stop before school."

Elena frowned. "Ok," she said as the girls left.

They both arrived at the Salvatore's at the same time and walked up to the door. Brea knocked and Damon opened the door. "Hello Elena," he said staring at her sister. Brea then cleared her throat. "Hello Brenna," he smirked at her.

"Stefan here?" Elena asked. "He called, and said it was important."

"Right this way," Damon said stepping aside and allowing the girls to enter the house.

Elena walked in ahead and Brea whispered to Damon. "You're being weird."

"Hey," Stefan said greeting the twins.

"What is this about?" Elena asked Stefan nervously. Stefan then stepped aside to reveal Rose.

"Eep!" Brea squeaked hiding behind Elena.

"You," Elena said in shock and Rose waved uncomfortably.

"She has information," Damon said walking towards them, he then jerked his head to the living room and everyone made their way in. Brea stayed as far away from Rose as possible, sitting on the couch Damon was standing behind. It made her feel slightly safer.

"OK, you have to understand I only know what I've picked up over the years. Brenna here knows more, but from what Damon tells me she doesn't have any of her memories." Rose then turned back to Elena. "I don't know what's true and what's not true. That's the problem with all this vampire crap. But Klaus, I know is real."

"Who is he?" Elena asked.

"One of the originals," Damon answered. "He's a legend."

"From the first generation of vampires," Stefan elaborated and Brea looked down. This sounded familiar.

"Like Elijah?" Elena asked.

"No. Elijah was the easter bunny compared to Klaus. He was a foot soldier. Klaus is the real deal."

"Elijah? The Easter bunny?" Brea scoffed and Rose glared at her and she shrunk back in her seat. "I'll be quiet."

"Klaus is known to be the oldest," Stefan said.

"Ok, so you're saying that the oldest vampire in the history of time is coming after us?" Elena asked.

"Yes," Rose said.

"No," Damon answered at the same time. "What she's saying is, I mean if what she's saying is true…"

"Which it is," Rose interrupted.

"And you're not just saying it so we don't kill you."

"Which I'm not."

"Then we're looking at a solid maybe."

"Look, Elijah's dead, right?" Stefan said. "So no one else even knows that you exist."

"Not that you know of," Rose said.

"That's not helping," Damon mumbled.

"Look, I've never even met anyone who's laid eyes on him," Stefan said. "I mean, we're talking centuries of truth mixed with fiction. I mean we don't know what's real. For all we know, he could just be some stupid bedtime story."

"He's real," Rose pressed. "And he doesn't give up. If he wants something, he gets it. If you're not afraid of Klaus then you're an idiot. I know Brenna has spent centuries with him."

"Anna told me that I was friends with all the original vampires," Brea said in realisation.

"Be real handy if you could get your memories back then," Damon said with a small smile and Brea huffed.

Elena and Brea stood up at the same time. "Where are you going?" Stefan asked.

"School," Elena answered.

"See ya," Brea said quickly running out. She didn't want Elena to see where she was going.

Brea parked her car at the entrance to the tomb. She let out a big breath of air before she got out and went down the steps into the tomb. "Crap," Brea groaned when she got in there and saw the tomb was sealed off with the boulder. As she got closer to the boulder she heard a knock on the other side and pressed her ear to it "Katerina?" she asked but got no response. Brea knocked on the boulder twice and got the same knock back. Brea sighed and leaned against the boulder. She may not have her memories, but Katherine was her sister. And she was suffering. "I'm sorry," she whispered. Right after she heard footsteps at the entrance to the tomb and stood straight to see who it was "Elena?" she asked in shock.

"Brea? Where have you been? I called you like 10 times," Elena said shocked.

"I didn't want you to know where I was going," Brea replied nervously.

"I was headed here anyway, I wanted you to come. That's why I called," Elena rolled her eyes.

"Sorry," Brea chuckled nervously. "Oh hey Care!" she greeted.

"You too?" Caroline groaned. "Are you sure you guys want to do this?"

"Yes," both girls said before Elena continued, "we're sure. She's the only one who knows the truth about Klaus and Brea. She's the only one who can tell us how to stop him."

"But you're asking for the truth from someone who's probably never given it," Caroline protested.

"Ah, hey!" Brea protested.

"Sorry," Caroline mumbled, "still not used to that whole 1,000 years old and sister of Katherine thing," she said looking down. "Are you sure about this?" she asked again.

"Yes," Elena said as Brea nodded. "I can't just sit back and wait. We have to know, Caroline."

"Please," Brea said as she noticed Caroline hesitating. As soon as she said this Caroline nodded in submission and moved forward lifting the boulder that was covering the entrance to the tomb with ease. As soon as it was out of the way she stepped back nervously.

Elena stepped forward and called "Katherine?" who had obviously slinked back further into the tomb.

"We'll be ok from here," Elena reassured Caroline.

Brea moved forward and called out sadly "Katerina?" as soon as she did a shuffling sound rang through the tomb as she made her way to the entry.

"Brenna," Katherine smiled before glaring in Elena's direction. "Hello, Elena. Come to watch me wither away? Goodbye Caroline," Katherine snarled.

"As long as we stay on this side of the door, she can't hurt me," Elena reassured Caroline who clearly didn't want to leave them alone.

"Please," Brea asked and Caroline nodded, slowly leaving the ruins.

Elena moved forward and placed the bag she brought with her down, "Stefan know you're here?" Katherine taunted Elena.

"I brought you some things," Elena said smugly.

"You came to bribe me?" Katherine scoffed at Elena. "What is it that you want? I have no interest in talking to you."

Elena then threw a blanket across the tomb boundary. "I want you to tell me about Klaus."

Katherine locked eyes with Brea and hummed. "You two have been busy."

Elena then placed a torch on and the ground and said, "I also brought you this," holding the book she gave Brea.

"My book," Brea whined going for it and Elena allowed her to take it.

"It's your family history. We've read it. It says in here that the family line ended with both of you. Obviously, that's not true."

"You think that if you brought me some family keepsake, I'd open up?"

"I also brought you this," Elena said smugly holding up a bottle full of blood. Katherine lunged at it, only to be stopped by the boundary spell.

"That's smart," Brea said with a smile. "I didn't even think to bring anything."

"You don't look so good," Elena pointed out. "How long before your body shuts down? 10, 20 years?"

"Elena," Brea warned.

"Must be painful to desiccate and mummify. I can't even imagine."

Katherine slid down the wall, resigned to having to comply. Brea came and sat down in the exact same spot on the other side of the boundary. Elena bent down and filled a capful of blood into a cup before sliding it across the boundary to Katherine with a stick. "You have the Petrova fire," Katherine noted impressed.

"More blood?" Elena asked after Katherine downed what Elena had given her. Elena got the stick and slid the cup back over the boundary so she could refill it.

"It's a long story," Katherine said. "Klaus and us. Goes all the way back to England, in 1492. None of which you remember," Katherine said to Brea. Elena then slid another small amount of blood across for her "It was after we left Bulgaria, or I was thrown out."

"Thrown out?" Elena asked.

"Our family, your true ancestors," she said to Elena. "They disowned me. My indiscretions were not tolerated at that time. I had a baby out of wedlock. The shame," she said and Brea had a sudden flash of holding Katherine as she cried for her baby.

"It was kept a secret?" Elena asked as Katherine watched Brea.

"Mmhmm. My baby was given away. I was banished to England and Brenna wouldn't let me go alone, so she followed me there. We had to learn to adjust. So we quickly became English. It was a bit easier for Brenna than it was for me. It was there that we caught the eye of a nobleman named Klaus. I was taken with him at first. That was until Brenna told me of what he was and what he wanted from me. And then we ran like hell."

Brea closed her eyes and as she was engulfed by a memory.

England, 1492

Brenna and Katerina held each other's hands as they sprinted through the woods, trying to escape those who were following them. Katerina then tripped on a tree root, pulling Brenna down with her. Brenna sprung into action and grabbed Katerina's arm, dragging her backwards so that they were hidden by a fallen tree. She knew the ones following them wouldn't be far behind. Brenna slapped a hand over Katerina's mouth and Katerina did the same to Brenna.

" They're here," a voice Brea now recognised to be Elijah's spoke. "Katerina! I know you're near! You as well Brenna, I can smell your blood," he growled and Brenna lifted a hand to her cheek to feel it wet with blood, she had cut her face when they tripped. She quickly pressed her free hand against it, to try to contain the smell of her blood hitting the vampire's noses. "It's pointless to run. Klaus will find you wherever you are, Katerina."

" This way," Trevor spoke as he arrived and Brenna held her breath as she feared he gave away their hiding spot. "There's more blood over there." She relaxed when she heard them all walk away. Brenna peaked her head over the log to see that the coast was clear and both she and Katerina slowly pulled themselves to their feet. They pressed themselves hard up against a tree, looking around frantically in case someone was still near. When they thought it was safe they ran forward only to come face to face with Trevor. He placed a hand each on their mouths, the hand over Katerina's mouth was more affectionate. "Head east," he told the twins. "I can't lead them astray much longer."

" We can't run anymore," Katerina moaned in pain.

" Never mind," he comforted. "There's a cottage. You'll be safe there. You both will." Katerina nodded. "Go now. Go!" he said and the two sprinted off.

"So," Elena said snapping Brea out of her memory. "What did Klaus want?"

"Same thing that he'll want from you. He wants to break the curse."

"By sacrificing the Petrova doppelganger," Elena realised.

"He wanted to drain every single drop of blood from my body."

"I remember," Brea whispered and Katherine's head whipped towards her. "I remember running in the woods to escape. We were so tired."

"Maybe it's trigger words you need," Katherine theorised as Elena poured her another drink.

"I remembered bits of the Founders Ball back in 1864 when Stefan mentioned it a couple of months back."

"At least it's something. There's clearly something blocking your memory, but if certain words help bring them back then we can do it that way until we find a witch who knows what spell was used."

"What does the Petrova bloodline have to do with Klaus?" Elena asked interrupting, pushing more blood forward.

"It's really tedious, but… the curse was bound by the sacrifice of Petrova blood. Witches are crafty with their spells. The doppelgänger was created as a way to be able to undo the spell. Once the doppelgänger reappeared, the curse can be broken."

"So you ran before he killed you."

"Something like that. We went to the cottage."

It was daylight by the time the twins reached the cottage that Trevor instructed them to find. Katerina pulled up as she spotted it. "There it is," Brenna said between deep breaths. Katerina grabbed Brenna's hand and they stumbled the rest of the way to the cottage.

"Help. Please help us," Katherine frantically banged on the door until Brenna grabbed her and pulled her back before she hurt herself. The door opened and an elderly lady was on the other side. "Please. Help us," Katerina begged.

" I don't invite strangers into my home," she said about to close the door.

Brenna threw herself on the door so she couldn't close it as Katerina said, "no, Trevor, he said that you'd help us."

" Damn him. Always making promises I don't want to keep," Rose said from behind the door, as she appeared at the entrance, she froze. "Let the girls in," Rose ordered and the older lady opened the door. Katerina and Brenna both let out a sigh of relief as they stumbled inside. "Bring them water and something to eat," Rose compelled the lady and she left.

" You must be Rose," Katerina assumed. "Thank you. Trevor said to show you this," Katerina said raising the moonstone in the air. "To prove I am who I say, that you would help us to freedom."

" You stole this from Klaus?" Rose hissed.

" It was to be part of the sacrifice ritual, so I- I grabbed it and we made our escape."

" People do not escape from Klaus. Everyone who tries ends up back in his grasp, and anyone who helps them dies," Rose growled.

" We know the risk you bring on yourself by giving us aid," Katerina assured.

"I am risking nothing. At nightfall, I will bring you both back to Klaus," Rose said storming forward and grabbing the girl's arms "and beg him to show us both mercy." Rose dragged the twins forward and threw them into a room, shutting the door behind them.

" I can't go back," Katerina cried grabbing Brenna's arm.

" No, no we're not going back," Brenna agreed. Brenna stood up and walked around the room looking for something sharp. "Here," she said picking up a knife.

Katerina moved backwards nervously. "What are you doing?"

" We can't go back, Katerina. We can't. I can't lose you. You're my sister. My best friend. You can turn."

" How?"

" If you are injured, Rose will be afraid to return you to Klaus in such a state. She'll have to give you blood to heal you. Then you can really… kill yourself. You'll turn. He won't be able to use you if you're a vampire. He will still hunt you, but not as vigorously as he would if you were still human!"

" That's brilliant," Katerina said moving towards Brenna. "Can you do it?" she said gesturing to the knife. "I am afraid."

Brenna nodded and a tear slipped out of her eye as she plunged the knife into Katerina's side. Katerina groaned in shock and pain and fell into Brenna's arms, who gently laid her on the bed. "Are you ok?" Brenna asked.

Katerina nodded. "Now what?"

" We wait."

After a few hours, Rose re-entered the room. "It's nightfall. Time to go." Katerina then placed her hand on her side and groaned so that Rose would notice her wound more quickly. "When did this happen?" Rose asked afraid.

" In the woods, I tripped," Katerina lied.

" That's a lie. I would have smelled it," Rose said looking over the bed for the cause of Katerina's injury. Rose looked between the twins and saw the knife and she snatched it up.

" I'd rather die than go back to Klaus. Please just let me die," Katerina begged, putting on a show.

" If you die, then Trevor dies with you," Rose spat, biting into her wrist.

" No! No!" Katerina protested as Rose shoved her wrist at her. Brenna moved forward to make it all look believable and Rose held her back whilst she forced her blood down Katerina's throat. Rose finally pulled away and Katerina's wounds started healing and Brenna smiled.

The front door then flung open. "Where is she?" Trevor demanded. Rose raced out of the room to argue with Trevor.

" Now!" Brea whispered grabbing the rope Rose had left in the room and tying it into a noose, she then stood up on a chair and secured it to a beam on the roof.

" Do you promise this will work?" Katerina asked afraid as she got up on the chair, placing the noose around her neck.

" I promise. I love you sister. I'm so sorry," she cried as she kicked the chair and Katerina fell and hung to death.

"Brea killed you?" Elena asked in shock.

"Klaus needed a human doppelgänger. As a vampire, I was no longer any use to him."

"But it didn't work," Elena noted. "You didn't really escape. You've been running from Klaus ever since."

"Living out of a suitcase is better than dying so you could have your blood spilled over some silly little rock. What's wrong? Afraid I'm right?" Katherine taunted Elena. "You don't wanna die? There's another way out," she said as she took her fingernail and sliced her wrist slightly. "Better hurry. Your opportunity is going, going, going and gone," she said as her wrist healed. "Brenna helped me make the other choice. I transitioned. Trevor would have only helped me run. That was never going to be enough. Better they die than I."

"That's why Rose and Trevor hate me so much," Brea realised guiltily. "I'm the one who gave you the idea to turn and I'm the one who told you of the plan to sacrifice you. My actions signed their death sentences."

"Rose and Trevor spent the last 500 years running because you both used them," Elena said shocked. "Trevor just got killed."

"Never thought he would have lasted that long," Katherine said uncaringly.

"You don't even care that you ruined their lives. Look at Brea," she said gesturing to her sister. "Look at her, she's just learned why they hate her so much and look at that guilt. But you, there's nothing."

"I was looking out for myself and my sister, Elena," Katherine snapped. "I will always look out for us. If you're smart, you'll do the same." Katherine then turned into the tomb, bored by Elena.

"So how much of your little story is true?" Elena asked standing up.

"I have no reason to lie, Elena," Katherine sighed. "I have no reason to do anything but sit here and read and rot."

"That's the reason why you came back, isn't it? Because you wanted to be the one to hand me over to Klaus," Elena realised and Brea's eyes widened and her head snapped towards Katherine angrily.

"Sorry," Katherine smirked at Brea. "500 years on the run, I figured maybe he'd be willing to strike a deal."

"So you got Mason Lockwood to find you the moonstone."

"Right again," Katherine said and Brea scoffed in annoyance.

"What else is needed to break the curse?"

"Look who's getting smarter."

"It's not just me or the stone, is it? Otherwise, there would be no reason to trigger Tyler Lockwood's werewolf curse." So... that'd happened at the masquerade party while Brea was getting kidnapped.

"Witches and their spells," Katherine smirked. "So many ingredients, so many people to sacrifice."

"You need a werewolf," Elena confirmed.

"Believe it to not, they're hard to come by."

"What else?"

"A witch to do the spell. Mine bailed, but Bonnie'll do just fine."

"What else?"

"Vampire."

"Caroline."

"Are you serious?" Brea snapped. "You blow into town and just try to hand over all of my friends to be sacrificed?"

"Could've been anyone I suppose. But I like the poetry of Caroline. Sorry."

"So you were going to just hand us all over to be killed?" Elena asked shocked.

"Better you die than I," she repeated before she stepped back into the tomb, out of view.

Elena just huffed and began pacing back and forward, trying to process. "Elena! Brenna!" Stefan called from the entry.

"Oh no, Stefan alert!" Brea said panicked, they'd been busted.

"Stefan," Elena said annoyed. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question."

"Caroline told you," Elena guessed.

"Dammit Caroline," Brea growled.

"No, she kept your secret, but it didn't take long for me to figure out what was so important that you'd both have to keep it from me."

"I take it back. Go, Caroline," Brea smiled before walking back to the entry to Katherine's tomb. She took the bottle of blood from Elena and rolled it in. As angry as she was, she didn't want her to desiccate painfully.

Katherine walked forward, listening to Elena and Stefan's conversation. "There's nothing you can do, Stefan. I haven't even told you the best part of the story. After I turned, Brenna and I went back to Bulgaria, to find my daughter. We went home and all the carriages were flipped, and the servants had been torn apart. When we got inside it was even worse. Klaus worked out where we came from. And he slaughtered our entire family. He pinned our father to the wall with a blade and he tore apart the necks of our mamma and sister. He killed them, our entire family, just to get back at me for running," she said. "Whatever you do to escape Klaus, he will get his vengeance on your friends, your family, on anyone that you've ever loved. Everyone but Brenna."

"No. Look at me," Stefan said spinning Elena to face him. "No. Do not listen to her, ok?"

"Always the protector. But even you must realise that she's doomed," Katherine smirked. "There's nothing you can do to stop it. Unless of course, you have this," she said holding up the moonstone.

"What?" Elena asked.

"Oh, no," Stefan laughed. "There it is. That's the ultimate lie, isn't it? You spun this whole thing so that we would have to get the stone from you, didn't you?"

"I didn't spin anything, Stefan. It's the truth," Katherine says hurt.

"No, let me guess. You want to trade that stone for your freedom. You manipulative, psychotic bitch.

"It's all true Stefan, she didn't lie," Brea confirmed.

"My freedom?" Katherine scoffed. "That's where you're wrong, Stefan. I don't want my freedom, because when Klaus shows up to kill us all, and he will. I'll be in the tomb where no vampire will enter because they can't get out. I'll be the safest psychotic bitch in town."

"Why won't he hurt me?" Brenna asked.

"Love makes us do crazy things," Katherine smirked as she disappeared further into the tomb and Brea's eyes widened. She thought her love's name was Kol? What did Katherine mean?

Chapter Text

EDITED OCT22

Brea woke up when she heard a rattle from downstairs. She sat up and looked around but saw nothing, rubbing her eyes, she laid back down trying to go back to sleep. Just as she began to drift off, she heard a door slam and jolted upright. Confused as to what it could be, Brea stood up and opened the door to her room. As she stepped out, she saw Elena walk out as well. "Did you hear that?" Brea asked nervously. They'd been on edge since the kidnapping.

"Yeah," Elena answered. "Sounded like a door."

"Maybe Jeremy's up?" Brea asked.

"Maybe," Elena said and the two twins walked towards his room. As they were about to enter his room, they heard footsteps behind them. Brea and Elena both spun around with a gasp to see Ric standing there in his boxers with a bowl of ice cream.

"Ahhh! Elena my eyes," Brea yelled burying her face in Elena's hair.

"Elena, Brea. Ahem," Ric said awkwardly as he tried to cover up.

"We heard something," Elena answered trying to look anywhere but at their teacher. Brea lifted her head but kept her eyes covered with her hand.

"That was us," Jenna's voice said.

"Jenna?" Brea asked peeking through her hand shield.

"I'm sorry," Jenna said with a small smile.

"We didn't think anyone was up," Ric reasoned.

"But here you both are," Jenna laughed awkwardly. "And here we are."

"We were just…" Ric said unsure of what to say. "Chunky monkey?" Ric said offering the girls his ice cream.

"I'm not really hungry… at all," Elena said.

"I'm with her," Brea said, she removed her hands from her eyes and looked at the ground.

"Well… I'm naked. So I'm gonna go," Ric said making a quick getaway.

As soon as Ric left, Brea looked up at her aunt who was wearing Ric's shirt. Elena and Brea smiled at her before they started making their way back to their rooms. "I'm really, really sorry," Jenna said.

"It's ok Jenna," the girls said.

"Don't worry about it," Elena wore it off.

"I know he's been staying over a lot. Are you- are you sure it's ok?"

"Hell yeah," Brea laughed. "Jeremy and I have great plans for the two of you. We'll have a very, very attractive cousin," Brea smiled and Jenna's eyes widened.

Elena frowned at her sister amused. "Yeah, it's fine. Seems like things are good."

"They're extremely good," Jenna said beaming.

"Then we're extremely ok with it," Elena laughed.

"How did that child not wake up?" Brea asked looking at Jeremy's door, "I mean I pretty much screamed."

"He sleeps like the living dead," Jenna laughed before walking off.

"Night," Brea said to Elena. "I spent most of the day talking to Tyler about the whole accident at his house with Sarah, all whilst avoiding the werewolf topic, I'm exhausted."

"Night," Elena smiled and the twins left for their respective rooms.

There was a knock at the door as the girls were planning their ditch-school day. They needed a normal day for themselves and whilst Brea was planning to stay home, Elena was headed out for a shopping day. "Who's that?" Elena asked.

"I don't know, I didn't invite anyone over," Brea said confused as they walked to the door.

Elena opened the front door and the twins were greeted by the Salvatore brothers. "Hey," Stefan said. "Can we talk?"

"Why?" Elena asked.

"We went to see Katherine," Damon said and Brea's face dropped.

Elena looked at Brea quickly. "Come on in," and allowed them to walk through.

"So we tried to bargain with her for the moonstone," Damon explained.

"Let me guess, she wouldn't give it," Brea smirked.

"Your face looked just like hers when you said that," Damon smirked back and Brea glared. "But no, she wouldn't. The only way she said she'd give it is if we get Bonnie to break her out. Said she'll leave town with you and never come back."

"Me? No way," Brea said. "I'm not leaving."

"You don't believe her do you?" Elena asked.

"No, of course not. Which is why we didn't agree," Damon said with a smile at Brea. "We just want the moonstone."

"According to Rose's friend Slater, there's a way to destroy the spell that Klaus wants to break," Stefan said.

"No spell, no doppelgänger sacrifice. Ergo, you live," Damon smiled.

"How do you destroy it?" Brea asked and Elena nodded.

"By releasing it from the moonstone," Stefan explained.

"How do you guys even know this is going to work?" Elena asked.

"Cause we have a crafty witch on our side," Damon said.

"You discussed it with Bonnie," Elena realised annoyed.

"She agreed to do anything she could to help us," Stefan defended.

"It's Katherine who has the moonstone. She's not going to give it to you"

"We're going to get it from her."

"Well, what he means to say is that we will pry it from her cold, dead hand if we have to," Damon said.

"No. You. Won't," Brea said giving him a fake smile as she emphasized each word.

"Bonnie just needs to find a way to release the seal long enough for us to get in, get the moonstone and get out in time for her to return it," Stefan said.

"Wow. I mean, it sounds like you guys already have it all planned out," Elena said and Brea knew she was mad.

"Yep, we're awesome," Damon said not picking up on Elena's vibes.

"Except for one thing. I don't want you to do it."

"What are you talking about? Elena, we don't have a choice," Stefan asked confused.

"Oh come on Stefan!" Brea exclaimed. "Surely you know."

"What about Klaus?" Elena asked.

"We'll find him, but after we get the moonstone," Stefan responded.

"Is that before or after he kills everyone that I care about, including the two of you?" Elena asked before looking at Brea. "But apparently not you."

"You'll always have me bestie!"

"Elena, if we can de-spell the moonstone, we can save your life."

"I know. Everybody keeps saying that," Elena said standing up, grabbing Brea's hand and pulling them out of the kitchen.

"Hello?" Brea answered the phone as Tyler rang.

"Hey," he said shakily. "You home?"

"Yeah, what's up? You sound upset?"

"Had a rough day. Figured you might of as well, heard you weren't at school."

"Heard? You ditched as well?"

"Yeah."

"Well, you can come chill if you want? All I've done today is paint my nails. We can have a sleepover? We could steal Jenna's ice cream like we did last week and watch Bambi?"

"Yeah, we're not watching Bambi."

"Why not it's a brilliant movie!"

"Brea," Tyler laughed.

"Ok, fine, fine. We can watch Psycho?"

"I could watch Psycho. Sounds like a plan. I'll see you in an hour."

"Bye Ty," Brea said hanging up as her phone rang again, only this time it was Elena. "Hey! Did you buy me the top I asked for?"

"I didn't go shopping," Elena confessed.

"What?"

"I was never going shopping. It was a lie. I'm sorry. I tried to hand myself over to Klaus."

"WHAT THE HELL!" Brea screamed.

"I know. I've already had a lecture from Damon. I don't need one from you as well. Klaus didn't show. But Elijah did. He's still alive. He killed the vampire who was sent to collect me."

"And you're not with Elijah now?"

"No. He left me with Damon. Brea... the vampire, Cody, he mentioned you. He said you were Elijah's sister. And Elijah told him that he was explicitly instructed not to search for you. And then he ripped his heart out. I think you're family to these people..."

"Oh my god," Brea breathed.

"Yeah. I just thought you should know sooner rather than later."

"So Elijah's alive? But he was staked."

"That's what Damon and I are wondering too. Look, I'll be home in an hour, we'll talk then."

"Ok Lena," Brea muttered before hanging up.

"Oh my god, Jer. I have had a fairly good day of doing nothing," Brea said as she wandered downstairs. "I get you're upset with me, but you've got to get over it because.. What the hell happened to you!" Brea yelled as she saw a huge bandage over his neck. "I was just upstairs! Why didn't you yell out and say you were hurt!"

"Katherine bit me. I went in the tomb."

"She did what! Wait, why did you go into the tomb, you idiot!"

"Long story, but I was trying to help. And then Stefan ran in there to save me. He threw me out."

"Wait, but if Stefan went in there. That means…" Brea realised as Jeremy nodded. "Elena," Brea realised and as she and Damon walked through the front door.

"What?" Damon asked.

"It's Stefan," Jeremy said as Tyler's car pulled up. After Jeremy filled Elena in Elena sprinted off to the car nearly running into Tyler. Damon took off close behind.

"What's that about?" Tyler asked. "Wow, bro, you ok?" he asked when he saw Jeremy.

"Yeah, he just. Fell. In the parking lot," Brea said quickly.

"Wow, made a mess of that one," Tyler said coming inside.

"Yeah, um let's go," Brea said dragging Tyler to her room before he could ask more questions. "I'll get the ice cream," Brea said running downstairs. She opened the freezer to only see chunky monkey. "Urgh, that's ruined for me now," she sighed as she grabbed plain vanilla as well as mini m&m's.

"What's he doing here?" Jeremy whispered.

"I think he's freaked about the full moon. I have to help in any way I can," she said heading back upstairs. "Ok, we only had this or chunky monkey and that's off the menu. Ric ruined it for me. So I could these m&m's to spice it up," Brea said throwing the food at him. "And I got this," she said pulling a few beer bottles out from behind her back. "You look like you need it."

"You're brilliant," he smiled taking them from her as she turned to put the movie on.

"Cheers," he said clicking bottles together as they lay against the headboard watching the movie. "Thanks for being here for me," he sighed.

"That's funny Ty," Brea argued as they ate breakfast.

"No, it's not. It's pathetic," he argued.

"Ok, how about this one? Why did the scarecrow win an award?"

"I don't know. Why, Brea?"

"Because he was outstanding in his field! Funny right."

"Pathetic."

"Jeremy likes my jokes," Brea grumbled.

"Jeremy also idolises you."

"No I don't," Jeremy said coming into the kitchen.

"Oh yes you do Jer Bear," Brea cooed.

"Bonnie's here," Jeremy said.

"I'm going to take off," Tyler said. "Got some stuff to do today so I'll see you tomorrow I hope," he said. It was the full moon tonight.

"I'll walk you out," Brea said. "Ty, look, whatever's stressing you out. It's going to be ok, alright? You'll survive it," she said hugging him.

"Thanks, Brea," he said pulling away. "I'll catch you later," he said leaving.

As soon as he left Brea headed up the stairs to Elena's room. "Hey Bon," she greeted coming to sit next to her friend on Elena's bed.

"Now that you've got this back, what are you going to do with it?" Elena asked referencing the moonstone she was holding.

"Right now, it's what's binding the sun and moon curse. If I can figure out a way to remove the spell from the stone, the stone becomes useless," Bonnie explained.

"And can you? Remove the spell?" Brea asked.

Elena cut over Brea, "and according to Katherine and Brea, Klaus becomes vengeful. Maybe. If he finds out."

"Exactly, he may never find out that you exist."

"Bonnie, can't this wait?" Elena asked. "Stefan is stuck in the tomb with Katherine. We've got to get him out."

"Lena, love you and all," Brea said. "But don't you think he'd care about saving your life more than you getting him out of the tomb? Priorities," she sang, weighing her hands in the air.

"Exactly," Bonnie snapped. "Stefan wants me to focus on this."

"Well, don't listen to him. He thinks he's protecting me, but he's wrong."

"Lena, don't question Stefan's judgment," Brea warned. "He is a smart dude. And you are a nutcase whose mind is clouded by sacrificial, suicidal tendencies."

Bonnie nodded, "I'm taking Stefan's side with this one. We're not going to let you get used in some creepy sacrifice ritual," Bonnie lectured snatching the moonstone back from Elena. Brea nodded and lifted her hand up for Bonnie to high-five and Bonnie reluctantly did so.

"What are you guys arguing about?" Jeremy asked coming into the room.

"Jer!" Brea smiled tapping the space next to her on the bed for him to sit. Jeremy just frowned and ignored her.

"Not arguing about anything," Bonnie smirked. Bonnie then placed the moonstone in her bag and locked eyes with Jeremy. "I need a coffee," Bonnie said getting up and heading downstairs. Elena sighed and took her spot on the bed.

"What?" Elena asked Jeremy as he stared at her.

"Why are you on some suicide mission?" he asked.

"I'm trying to prevent everyone else from getting hurt," she tried to reason.

"You realise your dying will inadvertently hurt us all right?" Brea asked scoffing at her sister.

"Exactly, bringing Klaus the moonstone so you can get yourself killed is ok?" Jeremy asked snatching Brea's hand and dragging the two of them out of the room.

"Wow, hey, why are you dragging me away?" Brea asked as he pulled the two of them into his room.

"Shh," he said placing a hand over her mouth. As soon as they heard Elena leave her room Jeremy pulled them back in. He moved to the bed and checked Bonnie's bag. "She took it," he said and Brea realised Elena took the moonstone.

"Crazy, stupid twin," Brea muttered shaking her head.

Jeremy sauntered to the stairs where Bonnie was confronting Elena. "She took the moonstone," he said showing Bonnie the empty handbag.

"How did you…" Elena asked confused.

"We tested you," Bonnie explained. "And you failed."

"You're being an idiot," Brea snapped.

"Klaus killed Katherine and Brea's entire family just because they crossed him," Elena growled before turning to Brea. "You remember that. Why would you want that to happen to Jeremy or Jenna? I'm doing the right thing. I can't let that happen."

Bonnie stepped to the side letting Elena pass. "Wow what?" Brea said as she took off to stop her sister but Jeremy just held her arm stopping her from chasing her twin. "Let me go!" she yelled as Elena opened the door and smacked into an invisible wall. "Huh?" she asked confused.

"What did you do?" Elena asked spinning around.

"It's for the best, Elena," Bonnie said seriously and Brea just laughed.

"Oh my god, you're stuck here! That's hilarious!" Brea laughed as Elena pushed up against the wall trying to break free. Brea ran down the stairs and tentatively stuck her hand out, making sure she could exit. She could, so she popped out on the other side and stuck her tongue out at Elena and Elena huffed in annoyance before storming off into another room. "Miss me already? I mean, am I wrong or did you just leave only like half an hour ago?" Brea said as she answered her phone.

"Have you heard from Mason since he left?" Tyler asked.

"No. I haven't spoken to him. Tried calling him just like you but he hasn't responded," she said walking back inside and sitting on the couch next to Elena.

"This girl showed up at our door this morning. She Said Mason never made it back to Florida. She's been trying to track him down."

"That's… that's really weird, Ty. I mean he goes AWOL a lot but he always calls back eventually. And the only place he would have really gone is home."

"Yeah, my mom's really freaking out. She's on the phone with the sheriff right now. Look I got to go, but if I find out anything I'll let you know."

"Yeah, Ty, please do," Brea said hanging up. "So… what's up?" Brea asked Elena and Elena just scowled.

The front door then opened and Damon walked on in. "You should really lock your door," he lectured and Elena pouted in annoyance.

"Oh. Come on, pouty," Damon smirked and Brea put her hands on Elena's face trying to turn her lips up into a smile but Elena slapped them away. "At least give me 2 points for ingenuity."

"Your idea?" Brea asked and he nodded. "5 points for Damon," she smiled. "Hey you definitely compelled Mason to head back to Florida right?" she asked and Damon's eyes widened as he nodded. "He never made it back. Weird, I hope he's ok," she muttered. "Anyway, you're trapped in the house," Brea smiled.

"Do you think this is funny?" Elena snapped at the two of them.

"Yes," Brea said with a smile.

"Yes, Elena," Damon snarked. "I find hilarity in the lengths that I have to go to, to repeatedly save your life."

"What did Stefan say about this?"

"He had a good laugh."

"Ah Stefan," Brea smiled. "Boy has a sense of humour."

"And what did he say about Elijah still being alive?" Elena asked.

"Yeah, that," Damon said plopping himself down on the other side of Elena and throwing his arm across the back of the couch. "I didn't tell him."

"Why not?" the twins asked.

"Well, A - he can't do anything about it, and B - what I just said."

"Both fair points," Brea nodded.

"Where's Bonnie?" Damon asked.

"I thought she was meeting you," Jeremy said coming into the room.

"No, she's on moonstone duty. And I'm on… Elena patrol."

"And who's on Tyler Lockwood and the full moon?" Jeremy asked.

"Vampire Barbie asked me if she could handle it and I said why not? I figured if she screwed up, he'd bite her and then I'll be rid of two of my problems," Damon smirked and Brea scowled and reached over to his hand that was resting near her and pinched and twisted. "Ouch," he snapped pulling away.

"Hold on a second. Tonight's the full moon?" Elena asked shocked.

"Yep, but you're too absorbed with all you're suicidal tendencies to notice," Damon said pulling out his phone as it rang. "What?" Damon snapped as he answered and walked out of the room.

"Geez Lena, he spent the night here, how did you not notice?" Brea scoffed and Elena looked forward in shock.

"Change of plans," Damon said coming back into the room. "You two babysit."

"Woohoo!" Brea said fist pumping. "I'm a really good babysitter," she smiled.

Damon smirked before looking at Elena, "hey, you know, you should get out, and enjoy the sun," he said as Jeremy threw himself on the couch and lounged across his sisters' legs. "Oh wait, you can't." Elena grabbed a cushion and threw it at Damon and missed. Brea and Jeremy then started laughing and Elena proceeded to shove Jeremy off the couch. This only made Brea laugh harder and Elena then turned on her and pushed her off the couch as well, causing her to land on her brother.

"Urgh, I'm bored," Brea whined from the ground. "I'm going to go visit my good friend Matthew. His shift ends in 20, catch you losers later," she said leaving the house.

"Matty!" Brea cheered as she entered the Grill. Matt just rolled his eyes.

"What do you want?"

"To hang out, your shift's over in 2 minutes. Pleaseeee."

"Fine, grab a table I'll meet you when I'm done."

"Yes!" she fist pumped and sat down. 2 minutes later Matt joined them carrying two glasses of coke. "Oh, you know me, Matthew."

"Sadly I do, burgers will be ready in 10. What's got you in a good mood?"

"Well, Elena got… grounded. So good day already."

"What did she do?"

"Oh, she just pissed a lot of us off. So she got grounded. Trust me, it's warranted. Oh my god, breaking news. Tyler spent the night and..."

"Ew!"

"Matt, no, that's disgusting!" Brea groaned. "It's the same as when you sleep over. Movies, ice cream and an abundance of jokes. But the point is, Tyler said my jokes were pathetic."

"I like your jokes," Matt said.

"Exactly right, my jokes are brilliant. The poor boy has no sense of humour."

"Maybe we should cut him out of the group."

"Maybe we should. We would be a powerhouse on our own. I've said it before, he brings us down. We're so much more easygoing. Ty's a grumpy one."

"Who would we replace him with?" Matt joked.

"Jeremy!"

"Wow, I mean, I know we're joking and all, but Jeremy would be a good addition to our group chat."

"Ever since he got clean he's been very witty," Brea laughed. "I'm making one," Brea said. "Just the three of us, him and Ty are still kind of touchy," Brea said pulling out her phone and adding their numbers together into a chat.

B - Welcome, welcome all

J - What's this

M - The greatest thing the world has ever seen

B - BrenJerThew!

M - That's the best you could come up with?

J - That. Is. Awesome!

B - See Matty, told you he would be a good addition

B - We shall continue this later. Matt and I are having bro time

J - Good luck mate.

"Good call," Matt said as they put their phones away.

"Oh, burgers!" Brea said excitedly as a waiter delivered the food.

"Yes!" Matt cheered. "Tuck in Brenna."

"Tuck in I shall," she smiled. "Oh look. It's Ric. Hey, Ric!" she called across the room waving. Ric gave a small wave before looking away. "Urgh, Jenna must've pissed the man off. I can't have her ruining our plans."

"Who's plans and what plans?" Matt asked.

"Jeremy and I's plan. The plan is to marry him into the family. Jenna's the only appropriate one."

"Why do you two like him so much?"

"Ric is the epitome of cool. Plus he's kind of perfect for Jenna. And she needs someone perfect. She's had a bad run with boyfriends. She needs a good guy for once."

"What about you? Any new guys?" Matt asked.

"Nope," Brea said quickly. "Not me."

"That was quick."

"I just… this is going to sound insane. But I know exactly who I'm looking for, I just haven't found him yet."

"I know the feeling."

"No, you don't," Brea sighed.

"Nah I get it. I mean we both believe in true love I guess," he smiled softly.

"I guess."

"Come on, eat up. I'm not paying for you to eat half," Matt said pointing at the burger.

"You're paying! Bloody hell that's brilliant!" Brea laughed.

"Good night you nutcase," Matt smiled as he dropped Brea home at night.

"Night Matt, thanks for the lift!" Brea called out as she went inside her house. "Jenna!" she greeted. "I feel like we don't hang out anymore. We need a girl's day. Elena never wants to hang with me anymore and you're more fun."

"Are you drunk?" Jenna smiled as she dug around in the closet.

"No, why would you ask that?"

"You're hyper."

"Oh, I was with Matt."

"Ah. Makes sense then," Jenna laughed.

"Yo, Lena," Brea smiled as Elena came down the stairs.

"Hey," she greeted before looking at Jenna. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"Oh, perfect timing," Jenna said throwing a box into Elena's arms before looking at Brea. "Payback for her blowing you off."

"I love you!" Brea smiled as Elena rolled her eyes.

"What is this stuff?" Elena asked.

"Your mom's files from the historical society. I got roped into helping Mrs Lockwood." Jenna then spoke louder, "and by roped, I mean very excited to participate," she then closed the closet door to reveal Elijah.

Elena jumped in the air. "Oh hey!" Brea greeted him as if he was an old friend and then it clicked and she gasped. "Oh, no!"

"Hey. I'm Elijah," he said to the girls.

Jenna then stepped forward and took the box from Elena, "Elijah's in town doing research on Mystic Falls."

"It's a pleasure," Elijah said stepping forward and shaking the girl's hands. Elena was much more reluctant than Brea.

"So, you know, you're welcome to stay here and rummage through this stuff, or Elena could help you load it into your car," Jenna said with a wink at Brea.

"Yeah, or I can get someone to pick it up tomorrow," Elijah suggested.

"Also a good plan," Jenna agreed.

"Thank you so much for inviting me into your home, Jenna," Elijah said emphasising to the twins he could come and go as he pleased. "And Brenna, Elena. I hope to see you two again sometime soon."

"Yeah, don't be a stranger," Brea said casually and Elena subtly elbowed her. As Jenna was letting Elijah out, Elena grabbed Brea's hand and they made their way up the stairs. As they got upstairs they sprinted and Elena and Brea began knocking on Jeremy's door frantically. Elena got sick of waiting and grabbed his doorknob, but as she did, Elijah's hand clasped over hers, stopping her from opening it. Elena backed away whilst Brea held her ground, Elijah placed a finger over his lips as Jeremy opened his door.

"What is it?" Jeremy asked.

"Um," Brea started. "Do you want to watch a movie later?" Brea asked.

"Sure which one?" he asked. "Did you really need to try to smash down my door for that?"

"Bambi?" Brea suggested.

"No!" Elena snapped forgetting Elijah was right there. "No Bambi."

"Ok, no Bambi," Brea agreed winking at Jeremy.

"Yeah, sure then. I'll just finish my homework."

"Okey dokey," Brea said as Jeremy closed the door.

"That's a wise choice," Elijah said.

"See," Brea said turning to Elena. "I told you it's a good movie."

"He wasn't talking about the movie! He was meaning not to tell Jer," Elena scoffed angrily.

"Oh," Brea said turning back to Elijah. "That makes more sense."

"What do you want?" Elena asked him warily.

"I think it's time the three of us had a little chat." Brea nodded and she and Elena cautiously led Elijah into Brea's room. "Forgive the intrusion," he apologised. "I mean your family no harm."

"Why did you kill those vampires when they tried to take me?" Elena asked shutting the door to Brea's room.

"Because I didn't want either one of you to be taken," he explained. "Klaus is the most feared and hated of the originals, but those that fear him are desperate for his approval. If word gets out that the doppelgänger exists and Brenna has been discovered, there'll be a line of vampires eager to take you both to him, and I can't have that."

"Isn't that exactly what you're trying to do?" Elena asked.

"Let's just say that my goal is not to break the curse," he said sitting down on Brea's window seat.

"So what is your goal?" Brea asked sitting down on the edge of her bed.

"Klaus' obsessions have made him paranoid," Elijah said. "He's a recluse. He trusts only those in his immediate circle."

"Like you?" Elena asked.

"Not anymore. But your sister is most certainly in there," Elijah said pointing to Brea and her eyebrows rose.

"But didn't I betray him by saving Katerina?" Brea asked.

"His adoration for you far outweighs any betrayal he felt with your misdoings with Katerina."

"You don't know where he is, do you?" Elena realised. "So you're trying to use me to draw him out."

"Well, to do that, I need you to stay put and stop trying to get yourself killed."

"Ah ha," Brea said happily.

"How do we know you're telling the truth?" Elena asked.

"Well, if I wasn't being truthful, your aunt and brother would be dead, and I'd be taking you both to Klaus right now."

"Hey!" Brea protested.

"Instead, I'm here, and I'm prepared to offer you a deal."

"What kind of a deal?" Elena asked.

"Do nothing, live your life, stop fighting. And then, when the time is right, you and I shall draw Klaus out together, and I shall make certain that your friends and family remain unharmed," Elijah said.

"And then what?" Brea asked.

"Then I kill him," Elijah said and Brea sucked in a breath.

"Just like that?" Elena asked.

"Just like that. I'm a man of my word, Elena. I make a deal, I keep a deal."

"How are you going to be able to keep everybody safe?" Brea asked.

"You know, I notice you have a friend, Bonnie, is it? She seems to possess the gift of magic. I have friends with similar gifts," Elijah said.

"You know witches," Elena said crossing her arms.

"Together we can protect everybody that matters to the two of you. So do we have a deal?"

"I need you to do one more thing for me," Elena said.

"We're negotiating now?" Elijah asked.

Brea knew Elena was going to bargain for Stefan's release from the tomb so she butted in. "Actually we need two things. Scratch that, three things."

"What are your requests?" he asked.

"My boyfriend," Elena explained. "Stefan Salvatore, he's stuck in a tomb that has been spelled. It prevents vampires from leaving."

"And you wish for his release. Done. What about you Brenna?"

"The spell keeping Elena locked in the house. May as well have it lifted."

"Done, and the third request?"

"I want you to keep my sister, Katerina, in the tomb. She's a danger to my family. I love her but I can't have her harming my family."

"Done. Is that all?"

"I want to come. To ensure you don't hurt her."

"Very well," Elijah nodded. "We have a deal. I will meet you outside," he said disappearing from the room.

"Brea," Elena called as Brea went to leave. "Thank you," she whispered. Brea nodded and ran downstairs, sneaking out of the house and running to Elijah's car.

Elijah smiled and opened the car door for her, "thanks," she said getting in the car. Elijah shut the door and walked around the other side and started driving. "I have a question."

"Yes?"

"My memories. Everyone I've spoken to says I should have them. But I don't. I get some in dreams but I forget them almost straight away. Katerina said they usually flood back."

"I'm afraid to admit that I played a hand in that," Elijah admitted.

"What?"

"After an altercation in 1914, I figured it would be best if you were kept safe from Klaus. I had a witch block all your memories from surfacing for all lives after that. That way you would not seek Klaus out and endanger your life again. I kept tabs on you over the years and it worked well. It seems it is only in this life, cracks have begun to show. I do apologise, Brenna," Elijah said.

"Can you get your witch friends to remove the spell? Let me have my memories again?"

"Unfortunately I can not. You've been close companions with Klaus for the better part of 1,000 years. I believe if you had access to your memories your loyalties may waver from your sister."

"I would never betray my sister."

"Oh no, dear Brenna. Most certainly not intentionally. But you would be conflicted. I do not wish for you to endure the torment you did when he had Katerina in his grasp."

"Who is Kol?" Brea asked and Elijah tightened his hands on the wheel. "I've had a couple of memories of him. I keep writing his name down. Some people have told me a bit about him. But not enough."

"He was your greatest love," Elijah said. "You were betrothed when he was human. When you were cursed with your illness it broke him. In all my years I have never seen Kol show any form of emotion to anyone but yourself. After he turned a witch managed to spell you so that you would reincarnate after the cursed illness took you. But she could not remove the original curse itself. The next time he saw you, in your next life, you were already married. You met eyes across the room and I finally saw the light come back into his eyes for the first time in 17 years. Even though you were married to another man, the pull between the two of you was undeniable. And then you died again and his rage returned. Every time he found you he would resemble some form of decency and then whenever you would pass, he would turn into a maniac with no regard for any life but his own. He has a fearsome reputation. Without you, he was every bit the definition of a monster. Whenever he was with you he worked to break your curse. He managed to delay the onset of your curse. He stretched the age it takes you out until 22 instead of 17. You were unable to be turned, however. Whenever it was attempted you would simply not wake up. Whenever Katerina would get to you before him he would go even further off the rails than he already was. He would slaughter his way through towns in despair."

"He sounds like a monster."

"He had his moments, just like a petulant child. You save him from the darkest parts of himself."

"Where is he now?"

"That I can not say, unfortunately," Elijah said and Brea looked down. "May I ask you a question?"

"Depends on the question."

"Why do your friends call you Brea? In all your lives you have never strayed from Brenna."

"Jeremy couldn't say Brenna as a child. He could only say Brea, I guess it just kind of stuck," Brea smiled.

"I must say I do prefer Brenna," Elijah smiled. "Was that a male suitor who dropped you off at your home?" Elijah asked after a minute of silence.

"Ew! No way!" Brea said in disgust. "That's Matt. He's one of my best friends. He's like my brother. That's gross," she laughed. "Elijah… were we close?" she asked seriously.

"We are very, very good friends," he smiled as she fidgeted in her seat.

"Could you just allow me to get my memories of him back?" she asked. "Please, Elijah. I feel as though I am being tortured every day. I can't even picture his face."

"Well that would disappoint him greatly," Elijah said sadly. "We are here," he said getting out of the car and walking around to Brea's side to help her get out. They walked down into the tomb in silence. As they were walking down, Elijah banged the wall to no doubt get the attention of Katherine and Stefan. As they came into view Katherine took a deep breath and backed further into the tomb.

"Elijah," Katherine whispered in fear.

"Good evening, Katerina," he said and Brea gave her a small wave. "Thank you for having the good sense to be frightened."

"Brenna?" Stefan asked confused.

Elijah then turned to Stefan, "your release has been requested."

"What? By who?" Stefan asked.

"The lovely Elena drives a hard bargain," Elijah said. "However, we reached a peaceful agreement, she and I. Please…" Elijah gestured for him to exit the tomb. "Come."

"I can't," Stefan said.

"Yes, you can," Elijah said. "I've had the spell lifted." Stefan then locked eyes with Brea and she nodded and he slowly made his way out of the tomb. Katherine then made to run out and Elijah flashed in front of her, stopping her in her tracks. "Your release, however, has not been requested. In fact, your imprisonment has." Elijah then began compelling her. "You shall not exit until I say so. When Klaus comes, he'll want to know exactly where you are." Brea just rolled her eyes. He would release her before Klaus could harm her, but he knew this would terrify her. "You're free to go," Elijah said to Stefan, stepping away from Katherine. "Elena or Brea will explain the arrangement to you. If she keeps her word, I'll keep mine. I'll wait for you in the car," he said to Brea before exiting.

"Stefan, no," Katherine begged. "Please, don't let him leave me in here."

"Goodbye, Katherine," he said leaving.

"Brenna," she begged on the verge of tears.

"I requested you stay Katerina," Brea said looking down.

"What?"

"You hurt my brother. You hurt my aunt. You hurt my uncle. You hurt me. I can't allow you to hurt anyone else I care about. It's safer for them if you stay here. I won't let Klaus hurt you though. I'll get Elijah to release you. I'll bring you blood so you don't starve as well. I won't abandon you, but I can't allow you near my family right now Katerina. I'm sorry," she said leaving the room.

"Wait! Come back!" Katherine screamed as Brea walked.

"Drive please," Brea whispered as she got in Elijah's car.

She and Kol were walking in a garden laughing. "Darling, please. You would not be able to do that."

" I most certainly could," Brenna laughed. "I believe I could beat you in a game of cards."

" Darling you have no poker face," he said kissing her cheek as he threw his arm over her shoulder and she raised her arm to hold his hand. "Plus I can hear your heartbeat," he whispered in her ear. "You would give the game away immediately," he said nibbling on her ear making her gasp and pull away.

" Mr Mikaelson," she laughed. "We are in public."

" Well maybe we should go inside," he smiled grabbing her waist with one hand and cheek with the other.

Brea placed her hands on the lapels of his coat. "I wish we could freeze this moment," she whispered. "Just you and I. No family drama. No curses to worry about. Just you and I. In happiness. In love. It would be my dream."

Kol grabbed the back of her head and pulled her in for a hug. "You read my mind love," he sighed. "Every moment with you is a moment I feel more and more complete. Every moment without you, a piece of my soul dies. I made you a promise centuries ago and I intend to keep it. One day I will break your illness and we can be together forever. No need to be apart."

" I'd like that," she smiled, taking his hand as they continued to walk. "Perhaps then we could travel the world. A new country every year. We'd never get bored."

" Darling I never get bored with you," he smirked.

" Brenna, love," a male voice called from inside. "Come in before you catch a cold," he growled.

" My brother has called you back in," Kol scowled.

" Well perhaps I did not hear him," Brea smiled as she took his hand and ran through the garden gigging as it began to rain.

After a while, Kol grabbed her waist and pulled her to him. "I love you. You're my always and forever," he smiled pulling her in for a kiss as it began to rain.

Chapter Text

EDITED OCT22

"Hey," Elena said through the phone.

"What's happening?"

"We found Rose. She killed three people. Damon had to kill her," Elena said. "He wanted me to leave."

"I'm sorry," Brea said. "I'm with Jer, we just got home so I'll see you soon ok," Brea said hanging up. "Good spending time with you bro," Brea laughed as they walked to the front door, holding out her fist for a fist bump.

"Nope," Jeremy shook his head as he walked through the front door.

"Dude you suck," Brea laughed chasing him up the stairs.

"Bambi?" Jeremy asked. "You bailed on me last night."

"Yes!" Brea said fist pumping the air.

"Brenna!" Stefan called up the stairs after her.

"Oh, hey Stefan. Didn't know you were here, Elena will be here soon," she called back.

"Brea," he called up. "I need to talk to you."

"Oh, ok," she said trudging back down the stairs as Elena walked in.

"Stefan, you're home," she said.

"Rose?" he asked and Elena shook her head.

"So was I needed still?" Brea asked. "Because I've got plans," she said pointing to Jeremy's room.

"Yeah. I still need you. I, uh, I called Isobel," he said.

"WHAT!" Brea yelled.

"I know," Elena said.

"Wait, you knew about this?" Brea asked. "Since when was Isobel even on the cards?" Brea said outraged.

"I'm sorry," Stefan said apologising to both of them. "I had to."

"It's ok," Elena said.

"It most certainly is not! Stefan, man, I thought we were buds!" Brea whined. "Calling my psychotic biological mom, a betrayal of the highest form."

"Did you find her?" Elena asked ignoring Brea.

"I am sorry, Brea. But she knows more about Klaus than anyone. Katherine recommended it."

"He didn't exactly find her," a voice said coming out of the kitchen and Brea didn't even have to look to know who it was. Her eyes widened and she turned her head.

"No," she breathed.

"Hello Brenna, Elena," their biological father, Uncle John, greeted them.

"Uncle John," both the girls said in shock.

"Wait are we still calling him uncle?" Brea asked looking at Elena.

"The three of us need to have a little chat," John said.

Brea groaned, dropping her head onto the bannister, "I just want to watch Bambi. I don't want any more drama. Actually, scratch that. Nope. I'm not doing this," she said. "I'm watching Bambi with Jer, I'll see you all tomorrow," Brea said storming up the stairs.

"Hey what took so long?" Jeremy asked.

"Uncle John is back," Brea explained.

"No way!" Jeremy said sitting up.

"Stefan called him. So it's got to be for a reason. Better be a damn good one," Brea growled. "Start the movie," Brea ordered and Jeremy quickly clicked play.

"Let's go," Elena said barging into Brea's room.

"Hard pass," Brea said not looking up.

"Nope, you're coming," Elena said snatching Brea's phone away.

"Hey!"

"I talked to him last night and he gave me nothing. Just small talk. We're getting answers. Now!"

"Ok, ok," Brea said quickly throwing herself off of her bed at her sister's angry tone. "Let's go," she said and the two stormed downstairs.

"Morning," John greeted as the twins entered the kitchen.

"Morn-," Brea started before Elena cut her off.

"What are you doing here?" Elena asked.

"Ok," Brea muttered.

"Coffee?" John offered.

"We're not doing that," Elena said. "We did that last night. No more avoiding. Why are you here?"

"I'm here to protect you both. That's all I can say for the moment."

"We don't need your help," Brea scoffed.

"What do you mean, that's all you can say?" Elena asked.

"I'll tell you both more when I'm convinced you two can be trusted?"

"Us trusted?" Brea nearly yelled. "You are an absolute-," Brea started before again being cut off, this time by Jenna.

"Oh, god, I'm late," Jenna said running into the kitchen.

"That's what you get for hitting the snooze 3 times," Ric laughed following her into the kitchen.

Jenna pulled up quickly when she caught sight of John. "What the hell."

"Ric!" Brea said with a big smile when she saw him and he gave her a small smile back before looking at John confused.

"Hey, good morning to you, Jenna. Alaric," John greeted.

"It's ok I'm confused, right?" Jenna asked looking at the twins. "Because we were not expecting you, like, ever."

"Well, I got in late last night. Elena and Brea let me in."

"I did not!" Brea exclaimed. "Jenna, don't believe him. I would never," she said throwing her hands up in the air.

"You know, I'm probably just going to take off," Ric said uncomfortably from the kitchen before leaving.

"I'm still confused here," Jenna said looking around for answers.

"I decided to come back and stay for a while," John said.

"Not here, you're not," Jenna snapped and Brea held her hand up for Jenna, who in turn, high-fived it.

"Actually, you can't stop me from living here," John retorted.

"Actually, I can, as legal guardian," Jenna said

Jenna then held her hand up for Brea to high-five, but Brea left her hanging as she stuttered out a quiet "uh oh."

"Yeah. About that, Brea, Elena, you want me to explain the situation, or would you like to do the honours?" John asked.

"Ok. What's going on?" Jenna said glaring at everyone.

"I'm sorry, Jenna," both Elena apologised. "We should have told you earlier, but-."

"I'm Elena and Brenna's biological father," John explained and Jenna's eyes went wide. "There. Now you know," he said walking out of the room.

Jenna scoffed before stuttering "what?"

"Jenna, I…" Brea started.

"No," Jenna said turning around. "Nope," she said walking out of the house.

"What a dick," Brea said glaring at where John was standing. "Good job Elena!" Brea snapped walking off.

"What did I do?" Elena asked confused.

"You made me come downstairs and now Jenna's mad at me. We were meant to hang out later," Brea yelled as she headed upstairs again.

Brea was lying on her bed, texting Jenna apologies when she heard Damon enter the house. After a minute she heard Damon leave with Elena and she let out a sigh of relief at having the house to herself, not a moment later the doorbell rang and she groaned, knowing no one else was in the house to get it. She hauled herself off the bed and ran down the stairs. "Ty? Hey, I didn't know you were coming over," she said as Tyler burst his way into the house.

"Did you know?" he snapped.

"Is this a game?" Brea asked tilting her head to the side.

"Don't play dumb, Brea. I'm not in the mood. Did you know?"

"Ty, I am really going to need a few specifics. But I'm just going to go with a blanket cover and say Matt did it and I had nothing to do with it."

"Enough!" Tyler yelled. "Did you know about Mason?"

"Oh! Did you hear from him?" she asked with a smile.

"No, I didn't and I'm not going to," he snapped.

Brea frowned. "What do you mean Ty?"

"You don't know, do you?" he asked, his face softening.

"Ty, you're being vague, it's not going to work. I didn't do anything!"

Tyler moved forward and grabbed Brea, pulling her into a hug. "You don't know."

"Know what? What's up with Mason?" she laughed nervously.

"I'm sorry Brea. Mason's dead," Tyler said and Brea froze pulling away.

"Wha… what… what?" she said quickly.

"Damon killed him," Tyler said and Brea shoved him away.

"What the hell Ty! That's not funny."

"The sheriff declared him missing," Tyler said.

"I didn't know that," Brea said moving into the living room to sit down.

"Some girl from Florida showed up saying he never made it home. She's a werewolf, Brea. Like Mason, like me. I'm so sorry I haven't told you. I just didn't know how."

"Ty, I'm sorry. I know all about the werewolf stuff. What about Mason?" she asked as Tyler sat next to her taking her hands in his.

"Jules showed up and got the sheriff to mark him as missing. She was talking to Damon in the Grill the other night and he confessed to killing him. Him and Stefan."

"Oh my god," Brea said, eyes filling with tears. "I'm such an idiot. They all made me believe they made him leave town. Damon would never do that. Oh my god. Oh my god, Tyler!" Brea screamed as she erupted into tears and Tyler could do nothing but hold her.

After about an hour Tyler had left and Brea was marching to the tomb to yell at Katherine, who had spent the past few weeks hiding the fact that Mason was dead from her, "you bitch!" Brea yelled as she entered the church ruins.

"You're going to have to tell me what I did wrong, sweetie," Katherine said with an eye roll.

"Mason."

"What about him?" Katherine smirked.

"He's dead," Brea snapped and Katherine's smirk fell.

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh. Take this," she said throwing a blood bag at her and Katherine lunged at it. "And don't come near me and my friends ever again," she snapped.

"You and I, we're family," Katherine croaked.

"You don't get to use that word right now!" Brea snapped as her phone rang. "What!" she yelled as she answered it.

"What's your problem?" Elena asked.

"Oh, we'll deal with that later. What do you want?"

"Um," Elena said confused. "Caroline's been kidnapped. The werewolves took her, they're in the woods somewhere…" before Elena could say more Brea hung up. "Bye Katerina," Brea snapped running out of the tomb to find her friend.

As she left she heard Katherine yelling after her, pleading with her not to go. While she ran through the woods she heard a scream and stopped. "Caroline," she whispered and ran towards it. As she got closer she saw a caravan and ran into it. "Caroline!" she yelled as she saw her friend locked in a cage.

"Get out of here Brea!" Caroline yelled. Brea ignored her and ran forward to try to work out how to open the door.

"Well, well," a voice said from right behind her. "What do we have here," he said as he grabbed her roughly by the waist lifting her up. "A vampire sympathiser. Not really worth keeping you around," he hissed as Brea struggled.

"Let her go! Let her go!" Caroline begged and Brea quickly flung her head back to connect with the man's nose. He grunted in pain and let her go and she turned around and kneed him where the sun doesn't shine. She then turned around to Caroline. "No go, go," Caroline begged. "Get help, but go!" she yelled and Brea nodded.

"I'll get help Care, I'll get Stefan," Brea said running out of the caravan only to come face to face with a woman.

"And where do you think you're going?" she asked and Brea's eyes widened and she ran around the women, trying to run deeper into the woods. "Someone go and take care of her," the woman yelled and Brea heard a heavy pair of footsteps following hers. Brea tried to run faster but she was running out of energy. After she thought she was out of sight, Brea stopped and hid behind a tree panting. She listened, but couldn't hear any footsteps, so she slowly edged her way out only to be slammed back against the tree by the man who was following her. As her back hit the tree, Brea let out a yelp at the impact.

"Sorry, beautiful," the man said as he placed a knife at her throat, causing her to stiffen. "I guess it's just not your lucky day," he laughed as he pressed the blade into her neck. Brea let out a small yell as the knife pierced her skin, and just as soon as she felt the pressure, it disappeared and the man collapsed to the ground. Brea looked up and saw Elijah standing where the man had just been, a heart in his hand. Brea began panting wildly and slid down the tree in shock. Elijah dropped the heart and knelt down next to Brea, tilting her head to the side to get a look at her neck.

"Here," he said kindly holding out his handkerchief. Brea took it and pressed it against her neck. "Why was that man after you?" he asked kindly.

"The werewolves, they have my friend, Caroline. Please. You have to help her. Please. She's part of my sister's list of loved ones," Brea said desperately. Elijah nodded and stood up, walking a few paces away as he made a phone call. After a moment he came back and pulled Brea's hand away from the cut on her neck.

"It's still bleeding," he noted before biting his wrist and holding it up for her. "Here. You need to heal yourself."

"Ew no!" Brea began to panic and struggled against his arm.

Elijah ignored her protests and placed it against her mouth. After a moment, Elijah pulled his hand away and Brea began coughing and slapping her tongue. "May I ask what you're doing?" Elijah asked confused.

"That is so gross!" she complained and Elijah simply laughed. "Caroline?"

"My witch is handling it. Your friend will be fine. I keep my word, Brenna. Would you like me to drop you home?"

"I, uh… no. I don't know where I want to go," Brea said looking down.

"What's troubling you?" Elijah asked holding out his arm for Brea to take.

Brea took his arm and the two began walking. "My friend, Tyler's uncle. Damon killed him. Everyone knew he was dead. No one told me. They told me that Damon compelled him to leave town. I just feel so betrayed," Brea muttered.

"I am very sorry to hear that. Would you like to talk about it?"

"When I was 10 was the last time I saw him before this year. The last time I saw him then, Tyler and I were climbing trees. I was so determined to go higher than Tyler, he would never shut up about being the bravest. I climbed higher than him, to the very top nearly. I was so happy, I was chanting and yelling and just teasing Ty, I wasn't concentrating on my footing at all. Then this tiny little spider crawled across my hand and I panicked and shook my hand trying to get it off. But my balance was off and I just fell out of the tree," Brea laughed. "Mason was right there. He caught me. Saved me from many broken bones. He was always there for me. All I had for an uncle was John, who's always been a bit of a dick."

"I can tell you cared deeply for him," Elijah said as they reached his car. Elijah opened the passenger door allowing Brea to get in.

"I do. I did," Brea said as he got in the car.

"Where to?"

"Just take me home," Brea said looking forward. "Not many people know this, but after my parents died, Mason called me every day at 7.30 on the dot for 3 months straight. Just to check-in. They could be 2-hour phone calls or 2 seconds. He was just always there for me. And now he's gone. It just, it doesn't feel real."

"I know everyone says this, but it gets better with time," Elijah said as they pulled up at her house. "Are you going to be ok?" he asked.

"No," Brea said quietly. "But I'll get better," she said leaning over and hugging Elijah, "thank you for today," she whispered before pulling away and getting out. Brea walked into the house and started to make her way upstairs, tears in her eyes.

"Brea," John called.

"Not know," she said quietly and kept making her way to her room. When she got there, she shut the door and let a few tears fall.

A knock then sounded on the door and John slowly opened it. "Are you ok?" he asked.

Brea nodded. "Yeah, but can I please just be alone right now?"

John ignored her and came into the room. "I have something for you," he said before holding up a necklace.

"I don't want gifts John, thanks," Brea said sitting down on her bed.

"I don't want to fight with you or Elena. I just thought you might want this," he said sitting down next to her on the bed before taking her hand and placing the necklace in it. "It was your mothers," he said.

"Which one?" Brea scoffed.

"Miranda's," John said and Brea stiffened.

"Mom?" Brea whispered and John nodded.

"I gave Elena her bracelet. She used to wear this set, the necklace and bracelet when she was young. It was together in a box with some things that your dad left me. It's yours now," he said closing her fingers over it. "I said the exact same thing to Elena, but I need to say it to you as well," he said as tears rolled down Brea's cheek as she looked at the necklace. "Miranda and Grayson were your parents. I know that I am nothing to either of you. Neither of you has any reason to believe me or trust me. Especially you Brea. After the things I've done. I've done so many horrible things, and those things have hurt you, and for that, I'm so sorry. But when you lost your parents, I lost my brother, my family. I lost my way," he said sadly. "I know I'm probably never going to make things right with you. I know that. But, I'm going to do everything I can to protect you from your past and Elena from the sacrifice." John huffed as he let that off his chest. He got up off his bed and went to leave.

"You don't mean nothing to me," Brea whispered and John froze. Brea stood up and walked up to John. "You're my uncle. I care about you. Despite the things you've done. I don't blame you. It's just the way you were brought into this. Elena and I were brought into this with love, you were brought in with hatred. I don't blame you. And you mean something. To the both of us. Even if Elena doesn't show it," Brea said as she hugged John. She felt John let out a shaky breath as he hugged her back. Brea heard who she assumed was Elena come up to her bedroom door and stand there for a moment, before turning and leaving. After a minute Brea pulled away, tears still flowing. "Thank you for the necklace," Brea said putting it on.

"You're welcome," John said grabbing the back of her head and kissing her forehead before leaving the room.

New Orleans, 1821

" In the flesh darling," Kol said with a smirk.

" Who are you?" Brea asked.

"Come on love, you wound me."

" Ah, I fear that would be my doing," Klaus called out as he entered the hallway. "Nothing a bit of compulsion can't fix up," he said walking towards Brea before locking eyes with her. "Now you remember," he said and all her memories came rushing back.

" You royal ass!" Brea yelled slapping Klaus across the face.

Kol laughed clapping his hands. "Brilliant! What a show. But make no mistake, Nik. I'm still cross that you daggered me. But, as far as apologies go, a lovely meal, my darling wife, you getting slapped in the face. It's a start."

" So this is your idea of fun?" Elijah asked Klaus as he entered the hallway.

" Well, you and Marcellus have grown thick as thieves," Klaus replied. "Why should I be alone?"

" Are you upset simply because Elijah schools Marcellus?" Brenna scoffed and Klaus' eyes darkened.

" Watch it, Nik," Kol warned. "Care for a walk darling?" he asked Brenna.

" Um, your shirt, it is um, covered in blood," Brenna whispered to Kol.

" Of course darling, Nik, I need a change of clothes," Kol demanded.

"Brea?" Jeremy asked slowly poking his head into Brea's room, but she ignored him. "Look, Brea, I know Tyler would have told you about Mason. I'm so sorry Brea," he said quietly but Brea continued to ignore him. After a moment Brea heard sniffling and turned around to see tears streaming down her brother's face.

"Jer?" she said standing up.

"I'm so sorry," he stuttered and Brea jumped off her bed and pulled Jeremy in for a hug. "I never wanted to hurt you."

"Jer," Brea whispered. "It was Damon who killed Mason. Not you. I'm just upset that you didn't tell me ok. I'll get through it," Brea said pulling away. "I have to go to the Grill, Jenna was meant to make a cake for the luncheon today but forgot so I have to go get that, but Jer, we're ok, you and I. I promise."

"Hey, Matt," Brea said walking into the Grill. "What was that about?" she asked as she looked behind him and saw a shocked Caroline, who had just been talking to Matt.

"Just more lies," he growled.

"Tell me about it," Brea huffed. "Um, I need to get Jenna's cake."

"Yeah, sure I'll get that," Matt said before scoffing as he saw Caroline and Tyler arguing. Matt got back a moment later, "there you go," he said quickly handing Brea the cake before storming off toward Tyler.

"Um Matt," Brea called out concerned as she ran after him.

"The two of you want to get together, fine," Matt growled at Tyler and Brea's eyes widened as she looked at Tyler and at the spot where Caroline was a minute ago. "There's nothing I can do about it, but do me a favour and both of you stop lying about it."

"Matt, there's nothing going on," Tyler defended.

This set Matt off and he spun around and grabbed Tyler by the collar of his jacket, "Matt!" Brea yelled running forward.

"Hey!" Matt yelled at Tyler. "I said stop lying," he said before storming off. "Sorry Brea," he apologised on his way past.

"You and Care?" Brea asked Tyler in shock.

"Not anymore," Tyler said walking past and pulling out a phone that looked a lot like Caroline's.

"Jenna," Brea whispered to her aunt as she walked into the Lockwoods.

"Got the cake?" Jenna asked.

"Yeah, here," Brea said handing it over.

"Ok, thanks, you're now forgiven for the whole not telling me about John thing," Jenna said kissing Brea on the head. "Elijah's over there," Jenna pointed out. "He was asking about you, he's very cute!"

"Jenna!" Brea laughed.

"You didn't go to the sleepover last night with Elena and the girls, everything ok?" Jenna asked.

"Yeah it's fine Jenna," Brea smiled. "Just a bit of a fight. They all lied to me about something."

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not really Jenna, I just want to not think about it for now."

"Sure sweetie," Jenna said with a smile. Jenna's smile fell very quickly as she spotted Damon, "Damon," she greeted. "What are you doing here?" As soon as Jenna greeted Damon, Brea tensed up.

"Hi," Andy, Jenna's friend greeted him. "You came."

"Hi," Damon greeted back.

"Hi," Andy said again stupidly before leaning in and kissing Damon.

Brea and Jenna's eyes went wide and they looked at each other shocked. "Thanks for introducing us Jenna," Damon thanked before walking off.

"Ahh. Wow," Andy sighed and Brea's eyes narrowed as she noticed the silk scarf strategically wrapped around Andy's neck.

"Got to go, you know avoid Damon and stuff," Brea muttered before hastily walking off.

"Ric!" Brea called out in relief as she spotted him in the crowd.

"Hey Brea," Ric muttered back as he noticed Damon enter a room with Elijah.

"What's Damon doing with Elijah?" John spoke from right behind Brea making her jump.

"How should I know?" Ric responded annoyed.

"Because you're his little helper," John scowled.

"If you say so, John," Ric glared.

"Does Jenna know about your extracurricular activities?" John taunted and Brea tensed, not liking where this conversation was heading. "Maybe it's time we tell her."

"Back off, John," Brea warned.

"I mean she can't stay in the dark forever," John continued.

"You're a dick," Ric snarled.

"Agreed," Brea said looking between the two. "I'm team Ric."

"I don't think you should sleep over anymore. It's inappropriate with children in the house" John said.

"Woah. John," Brea said stepping sideways to stand next to Alaric. "Number one, we are not children. Number two, Ric here is my bff. He's like my security blanket. No Ric, no sleep," she joked.

John chose to ignore Brea and continued. "That ring that Isobel gave you, that's mine. I'm going to want that back." He then smirked and walked off.

Brea called out after him, "you're going to need it if you keep acting like a dick! I'm sorry about him, Ric."

"It's ok Brea," Ric said clapping Brea on the back.

"Really, we love having you stay over. I mean not when Lena and I catch you half-naked on the stairs. But aside from that, you're really cool."

Ric immediately went red as he was reminded of that, "I'm uh… I'm going to go find Jenna."

"I'm going to go check on Elijah," Brea said and the two awkwardly scuttled off in different directions. As Brea opened the door to the study, her eyes widened as she saw Damon pressed up against the wall, a pencil stabbed into his neck as he screamed.

"I'm an original," Elijah sighed. "Show a little respect," he said holding out a handkerchief for Damon.

"Woah," Brea gasped as she watched the two.

"Ah Brenna," Elijah smiled. "I was looking for you earlier. I was going to come to greet you but you seemed preoccupied with your aunt," he said before turning back to Damon. "The moment you cease to be of use to me, you're dead, so you should do what I say. Keep Brenna and Elena safe. Now, Brenna, would you care to take a walk with me," Elijah said coming up to her.

"I would love to Elijah," she smiled grabbing onto his elbow. "Oh, and Damon," she sang before leaving the room. "I really hope that splintered," she smirked leaving the room.

"I apologise you at to see that."

"Don't. I'm sure he deserved it," Brea smiled as he led them outside. "What even is the point of this luncheon?"

"Mrs Lockwood was persistent. Wanted to give me a Mystic Falls welcome."

"Yeah, that sounds like Carol," Brea smiled. "She's always been like this, but since her husband died a couple of months ago she's been on overdrive. She needs projects. You know I let her take me shopping for an outfit for this school dance we've got coming up. It took 3 whole days. She wanted to hand-make it. I just thought we'd go to a costume shop in Richmond and that'd be it. We went to 5 fabric stores until she found the right fabrics and then she had to keep measuring me to get it right. I mean it looks really good. She's kind of like a mother to me. I mean I spend half as much time at this house as I do my own," Brea laughed. "She's lovely though, beneath the small-town socialite thing she's got going on. She's got a good heart." Elijah smiled, "what?" Brea asked with a laugh.

"It makes me happy. Hearing about all the good relationships you have with your friends. I do apologise for bringing it up, but it makes me happy I took away your memories. Being with Katerina or myself, you'd isolate yourself from the world. It's not something I want for you."

"But Elijah," Brea said as she stopped walking. "There's still something missing. I mean yes, I'm happy with my friends, but I know that there is this huge part of my life that's just not there. I'm happy, yes. But, I'm also broken. It's getting dark so I'm just going to go inside and go home," Brea said turning around.

"Hang on," Elijah said grabbing her arm. "Give me your phone."

"Excuse me?"

"I want to put my number in it. In case you get a repeat of the wolf incident. You can call me."

"Ok," Brea said handing him her phone.

"There you go, Brenna," he said handing her phone back. "I'm sorry if I offended you, enjoy your evening," he said walking off.

Brea huffed and started making her way back to the house. "What's up Ric?" she said as she ran into him.

"Jenna left to get ready for our date so she asked me to drop you home. Come on, we're going to pop into Damon's first then I'll take you home."

"Oh do we have to?" Brea whined and Ric nodded so Brea let out a dramatic groan as she got in the car.

She huffed out loud as Ric had gone inside a few minutes ago and still hadn't come back to the car. Brea got out and marched inside. "I thought this was just a quick pit stop Ric?" she asked coming into the parlour. "And you're drinking."

"Oh, yeah, Brea, I'll be 2 more minutes," he said turning back to Damon.

"Today was a bust," Damon groaned.

"Yeah," Ric agreed. "How's the throat?"

"Sore," Damon answered.

"Good," Brea snarked and Damon glared.

"Why are you so moody?" he asked.

"Mason," Brea snapped.

"Get over it. The guy was a tool."

"That guy was pretty much my uncle and a damn good friend," Brea snarled.

"Cool it guys," Ric said calmly. "That Elijah's one scary dude, what'd you two talk about Brea?" he said trying to change the subject.

"Um, not much," she said quickly.

Ric realised he wasn't going to get any information out of Brea so he said. "He does have nice hair though. Hey, you want another one?" he asked Damon.

"Woah, Ric, come on, I want to go home," Brea whined as Damon held up his glass for Ric to refill.

"He's going to be hard to kill," Damon mused.

"You're not killing Elijah," Brea snapped. "You can't anyway. He's an original."

"You know something that could help us, Brenna?" Damon asked.

"No. I don't. I can't remember anything. And even if I did, I wouldn't tell you."

"Yeah," Ric said awkwardly. "I'd think twice before I'd trust that dagger and some ashes to do the job." As if on instinct, Brea immediately tensed and sucked in a breath that didn't go unnoticed by Damon. "You're going to need more info," Ric said not noticing Brea's reaction.

"I'm out of sources. My only decent one is mad at me and has had her memory wiped," Damon said pointing at Brea while she gave him a death glare.

"What's up with you and this news chick?" Ric asked.

"Oh. She's got spunk, huh?" Damon smiled.

"Just don't kill her, please," Ric asked.

"If I did, who would report her death?"

"Not funny," Brea snapped.

"Just don't do it, alright?" Ric asked. "She's friends with Jenna, and it's bad enough that we're lying to her about everything else. I hate the lies." Ric pulled out his phone and checked the time. "Oh god, we've got to go. I've got to drop Brea off and pick Jenna up. Don't worry. We'll show ourselves out," Ric smirked standing up to leave.

"Good luck," Damon smiled. Brea went to follow but Damon called, "hold up Brenna." Brea reluctantly stopped and turned around. "Look would it count for anything if I said I was actually…" he started before they heard a loud crash. Damon stood up and grabbed Brea's hand looking at her ring and saw it was glowing extremely bright. "Stay here, you need to start paying more attention to that ring," Damon said as he walked off after Ric. "Brea! Run!" Damon yelled and Brea heard another bang and groans and in a panic ran towards the stairs whipping out her phone.

"Elijah!" she yelled as he answered.

"Brenna? What's going on? Are you ok?" he asked.

"I don't know. I'm at Damon's. There's something going on. We need help, Elijah! Please!" she yelled into the phone in a panic before she felt someone grab her by the waist and throw her to the ground before she could reach the stairs.

"We'll just hang that up," the woman Brea recognised as Jules said as she picked up Brea's phone. "Hi sweetie," Jules smiled before grabbing Brea and hauling her to her feet before dragging her by her hair back into the parlour.

"Where's Tyler?" Brea asked looking around.

Jules laughed before throwing her to the ground again by Damon's feet. Damon was tied up and unconscious. "He's gone to get your sister."

"Elena?" Brea asked panicked. "He wouldn't do that. He wouldn't hurt Elena."

"I may have left a few things out about how to break the sun and moon curse," Jules smirked.

Brea sucked in a panicked breath of air looking around frantically before her eyes landed on Ric. "Ric," she stuttered before noticing he had his ring. "Thank god," she breathed. "Why don't you just get it over with and kill me then?" she snarled at Jules.

"I want to keep Tyler on side," Jules explained. "After I told him about you dropping in on the blonde vampire last night, he told me if I so much as harm one hair on your little head, he would kill me. I'd rather keep him with us, so ergo, you live."

"You really think he's going to want to stay with you when he finds out you lied to him about Elena? He would never hurt her. He's not going to kill her. When you lot kill her for some stupid curse don't you think he'll leave then, huh?" A groan then sounded from next to Brea, "Damon?" Brea called as he began to wake up.

"Morning sunshine," the werewolf Stevie greeted as he woke up. "I saw this movie once, some torture porn flick. Anyway, they had this collar device that was really cool, so I just modified it with some wooden nails, and when I pull," he said tugging the ropes and demonstrating how the nails dug further into Damon's neck.

"Ah!" Damon groaned in pain.

"So, I hear you have the moonstone," Jules interrupted.

Damon laughed. "Oh. If you only knew the irony of this moment right now," he laughed and Brea looked at him confused. "Let me tell you how this is going to go. You're going to torture me, I don't talk, someone loses a heart. Last time, it was your boy Mason," Damon taunted. Brea sucked in a deep breath and looked away blinking tears away, as she turned back she saw Damon looking at her, guilt in his eyes.

"This time," Jules said stepping forward. "It'll be you," she said nodding at Stevie who tugged the chains again as Damon groaned loudly in pain. "You know what the great thing about buckshot is?" Jules asked. "It scatters through the body, maximum damage," she said pulling out the gun and aiming it at Damon. "Where's the moonstone?"

"Get over it, honey," Damon smirked. "You're never going to get it."

"Perhaps we need a little incentive," Jules smiled before she leaned down and grabbed Brea by the collar of her jacket and yanked her up. Jules slammed the end of the gun into Brea's side. Brea began to panic and tried to wiggle her way out of Jules' grip to no avail. Damon's eye's widened and he leaned forward in his chair despite the nails digging into his neck. "Now, where is the moonstone."

"You looking for this?" Elijah's voice called from the other side of the parlour room. All the wolves turned to face him, and Jules kept a firm grip on Brea and Elijah sauntered into the room. It wasn't obvious to many, but Brea noticed the rage in Elijah's eyes. "I will happily allow you to take it. So long as the girl is standing by my side."

Jules looked from Brea to Elijah a few times before releasing her and poking her with the end of the gun. "Go," she hissed and Brea ran across the room to Elijah and into his arms. Elijah wrapped his arms protectively around her before whispering, "I recommend you look away," as he maneuvered her to stand behind him. Elijah then slowly lowered the moonstone onto the table. The then held out his hand and moved him and Brea back a few paces. "Go ahead, take it." One werewolf that Brea didn't know then ran to move forward and Brea, knowing how this was going to go, turned her head to the side as she heard a grunt as Elijah ripped the man's heart out. Not long after that, she heard the groans of two other men who were clearly killed by Elijah. Brea looked up to see Elijah standing over Stevie. "What about you sweetheart? You want to take a shot?" he asked as Stevie stood up. "No? Yes? No?" he asked as Stevie frantically shook his head. "Where's the girl?" Elijah asked angrily looking around the room.

"I don't know," Damon answered confused as Brea slowly began to creep her way closer to Elijah.

"It doesn't really matter," Elijah determined before locking eyes with Brea and he elected to kill Stevie with a punch, as opposed to ripping his heart out. "I did request that you look away," he said to Brea and she shrugged in response. Elijah then stood in front of Damon and ripped the chains off of him. "So you realise this is the third time I've saved your life now?" Elijah stated. "Let's go, Brenna," he said leaving the room, grabbing the moonstone on his way out.

"Thank you, Elijah," she said when she left the house.

"It was my pleasure Brenna," he said tensely.

"It wasn't my fault," she complained as Elijah began to drive.

"I am aware of that Brenna. That girl held a gun up to you. I understand you don't have your memories so you don't fully understand our relationship. But seeing someone threaten your life. It makes me murderous. I assure you I am not mad at you."

Brea nodded and they spent the rest of the ride in silence. After a few minutes, Elijah pulled up in front of Brea's house. "Thanks, Elijah," she said quickly getting out of the car and hurrying inside.

"Brea!" Jenna calls as Brea walked through the door. "Was Ric with you?" she asked looking around.

"Oh, no. Um, I got a lift with someone else. I told Ric I'd be fine. Sorry Jenna," Brea said quickly as she ran up the stairs. "Jer?" she asked knocking on his door only to find that he wasn't home. "What a loser," Brea sighed as she went into her room and nearly screamed in shock when she saw Tyler standing in her room. "Lockwood! You! Little piece of...! What's up?" she asked.

Tyler frowned. "There were a few mood changes in that greeting," he said with a small smile. "I just wanted to say goodbye."

"Wait, goodbye? What are you talking about Ty?"

"I'm leaving with Jules. I have to get out of here. Work out this werewolf thing. I just had to see you before I left."

"With Jules? She just tried to kill me! You can't leave Ty. Your life is here! You belong here! You can't leave Matt. He needs you. He's very dependent."

"He's the dependant one?" Tyler laughed.

"Yes. He is. 100%." Brea's eyes filled with tears at the realisation her best friend was leaving and she ran forward and pulled Tyler into a hug.

"I'm so sorry for today. I told them not to lay a finger on you. I'm so sorry," he said shakily. "I didn't want to hurt Elena, I swear. I would never do that to her. They told me she'd be ok."

"I know, I know Ty. Please stay."

"I have to go, I'm so sorry," he said before he quickly left the hug and disappeared out the window before she could stop him. Brea sat down slowly on her bed, holding back the waterworks and her phone buzzed with a text from Damon.

D - Just heard from Bonnie who interrogated Elijah's witch today. The plan is to kill Klaus after the curse is broken. There's no save Elena part. She has to die.

And just like that, the floodgates opened and Brea let out the past few day's worths of tears in one big gush and eventually exhausted herself out.

Chapter Text

EDITED OCT22

"The old Fell property actually starts just beyond that fence," Jenna told Elijah as Brea trudged along behind them.

"Ah, the Fells. One of the 'founding families'," Elijah mocked making Brea look up.

"Why do you say it like that?" Jenna asked as Brea walked faster to keep pace with Elijah.

"My research showed me this area was actually settled almost two full centuries earlier," Elijah said with a knowing smirk at Brea. "It was a migration of townsfolk from the northeast, um, it was Salem, to be precise."

"Massachusetts?" Jenna asked. "As in the witch trials?"

"Which means the ever-lauded founding families… they didn't actually found anything," he smiled.

"Well I bet it was the men who made a big deal about being founders back in 1860," Jenna said making Brea laugh. "Men are very territorial."

"Yes, they are," Elijah said as he spotted Ric approaching them.

Brea's face lit up. "Ric!" she said happily as she spotted him.

"Hey Brea," Ric greeted back kindly.

"Elijah, this is my friend, Alaric Saltzman," Jenna explained and Brea's eyebrows shot up when she described him as just a friend. Not a good sign, her and Jeremy had a set uncle timeline plan in action.

"Yeah, I got your message about walking Elijah here through the old property lines," Ric said. "I thought I would tag along. You know being a history buff and all. Where to next?" Ric asked as Jenna avoided eye contact.

"I'm pretty curious about the freed slave property owners," Elijah said whilst eyeing Ric. "Some say, you know, the descendants of the slaves are the true keepers of American history."

"Well, I only brought the surveys," Jenna said holding the papers up. "I got that list in the car just give me a sec," Jenna said running off.

"Alaric Saltzman," Elijah said. "So you're one of those people on Elena and Brenna's list of loved ones to protect."

"Yes, he is," Brea said turning to stand next to Ric and placed her elbow high up so it rested on his shoulder.

"So is Jenna," Ric cautioned.

"Ric," Brea whined removing her arm. "He's being nice to Jenna."

"You don't have to be jealous," Elijah smirked. "I don't really pursue younger women."

Ric frowned at this and puffed his chest out, grabbed Brea's arm and pulled her behind him. "Hey!" Brea complained.

"Back off," Ric warned.

"It's a joke, Ric, lighten up," Elijah smirked, walking past Ric and tapping him on the arm as he went past.

"Right," Ric relaxed.

Brea then turned to face Ric with a glare. "I'm not old!" she complained. Ric just smiled and gave her a similar tap on the arm before walking off after Elijah.

Brea followed Elijah and Jenna into the Grill. She'd been sulking all day after she discovered Elijah planned to sacrifice her sister.

"Hi!" Damon called out waving them over.

"Hey, guys!" Jenna greeted, happily bouncing over to the table.

Brea glared at Damon, not making a move to the table. "Brenna," Elijah called holding his hand out, ushering her forward to the table. She rolled her eyes and walked forward, straight past Elijah.

"So I hear you three had quite a meeting of historical minds today," Damon said. "Bet Brenna here had some good facts. She knows her history so well she could be a thousand years old," Damon joked and Brea tilted her head and glared as Jenna laughed.

"Yeah, I guess you could say we did," she smiled looking at Brea and Elijah.

"Well, as much as I'd love to continue this, I've got papers to grade," Ric said standing up.

"Drive me home?" Brea asked wanting to leave quickly.

"Yeah," Ric said as he pulled himself up from the table.

"You know what?" Andie spoke up. "We should continue this. Let's have a dinner party."

"Oh, my girl," Damon cooed. "Full of good ideas. I'll be happy to host. Say tonight, maybe?"

"It's good for me, Jenna?" Andy asked.

"Yeah," Jenna agreed happily.

"I don't know if tonight works," Ric said.

At the same time, Jenna replied, "I'm free." Ric and Jenna then looked at each other awkwardly.

"It'd be a pleasure," Elijah agreed. "Only of course, if the lovely Miss Brenna would also attend?" he asked smiling at Brea.

"Oh, I have, um, homework," Brea mumbled.

"No you don't," Jenna said quickly.

"I have to go help Mrs Lockwood, you know after the whole Tyler thing."

"I think she might want to be alone sweetie," Jenna smiled cheekily and Brea glared.

"Brenna, I insist. I'd be happy to escort you," Elijah smiled.

"Fine," Brea replied through a clenched jaw.

"Great," Damon smirked.

"Ric?" Brea said.

"Yep, coming," he said guiding her out of the Grill.

"I hate him," Brea snarled.

"Who?" Ric asked.

"Damon!" Brea nearly yelled. "He's a royal ass. Maybe Elijah will do everyone a favour and kill him."

"Come on," Ric said grabbing Brea's shoulders and pushing her towards his car. "Let's get you home, give you a few hours to calm down before this dinner."

"Hey Carol, how are you holding up?" Brea asked as she let herself into the Lockwood mansion and walked into the living room.

"Brea sweetie," Carol said pulling Brea into a hug. "Thank you for coming over."

"Of course. Here, Jenna bought home a lasagne from the Grill for you to have for dinner or something. We figured you probably haven't had time to think about dinner," Brea said handing over the meal.

"Thank you, sweetie," Carol said her lip quivering. "Did he say anything to you?" she asked sitting down on the couch, and pulling Brea with her.

Brea's eyes welled up as she nodded. "He came to see me last night before he left. We had a… fight. He wanted to clear the air before he left. He's really lost, Carol. After Richard died… they didn't have the best relationship but he was his father. It broke him. But it's Ty, he can't show it. Then he gets Mason back and then Mason disappears. It's been a really hard year for him. A break will do him good Carol. He'll be back. I promise."

Carol just stared into the air for a moment before pulling Brea in for a hug as she cried for her son. After an hour of comforting Carol, Brea left and drove home only to find Elijah leaning up against his car outside her house.

"Brenna, good evening," he greeted.

"Elijah? Aren't you a little early?"

"On the contrary, I would say you're a little late," he smiled. "Are you ready?"

"I haven't had a chance to change."

"You look wonderful as is."

Brea huffed. "Fine," she said and Elijah opened the passenger door allowing her to get in.

"I get the sense that you are mad at me."

"I'm mad at a lot of things, Elijah."

"Please, enlighten me."

"My best friend left town, devastating his mom. You won't give me my memories back. Mason is dead. Ric and Jenna seem to be on the rocks and Jer and I have a whole plan for those two! I'm just in a bad mood today ok. And I really don't want to be at this dinner party."

Elijah for a moment looked guilty before he composed himself. "I'm sorry you feel this way. It was not my intention to cause you grief."

"Well you did," Brea snapped.

"As soon as we take care of Klaus, I give you my word I will give you your memories back Brenna."

"And how long will that be huh? You won't give them back because you think I would care about this psycho threatening my sister? You really think I won't hate you for killing him?"

"That's a situation I'll have to deal with as it presents itself," Elijah reasoned and Brea just scoffed as they pulled up in front of the boarding house.

"Great," Brea growled throwing the door open and storming up to the door.

Elijah grasped her arm as she rang the bell. "Slowly does it, Brenna." Damon then opened the door. "Good evening," Elijah greeted.

"Thank you for coming. Please, come in," Damon said gesturing for them to come inside.

Brea made a move to head inside but Elijah gently pulled her back. "Just one moment. Can I just say that if you have anything less than honourable intentions about how this evening is going to proceed, I suggest you reconsider."

Brea huffed and rolled her eyes irritated as Damon replied, "no, nothing, nothing dishonourable. Just getting to know you."

"Hmm. Well, that's good. Because, you know, although Elena, Brenna and I have this deal, if you so much as make a move to cross me, I'll kill you and I'll kill everyone in this house are we clear?"

"Hey!" Brea growled.

"Not you Brenna," Elijah smiled.

"That's not what I meant," Brea said through gritted teeth and Elijah just shrugged.

"Are we clear?" he asked Damon again.

"Crystal," Damon replied.

"Jenna. Wonderful to see you again," Elijah greeted charmingly as Jenna came into view. "How are you? You look incredible" he smiled moving forward, leaving Brea to glare at Damon.

"I hate to break it to you, Damon, but according to Elijah, your family is so not a founder of this town," Jenna smiled as she poured him a glass of wine.

"Hmm, do tell?" Damon asked.

Brea sighed as she exchanged looks with John next to her, who had made an unwelcome appearance at the dinner. "Well as I mentioned to Jenna and Brenna earlier, a faction of settlers migrated from Salem after the witch trials in the 1690s," Elijah explained. "Over the next hundred years they developed this community where they could feel safe from persecution."

"Hmm. Because they were witches," Jenna loudly whispered as the alcohol started to hit her.

"Yeah, but there's no tangible proof there were witches in Salem," Andie said.

"Andie's a journalist. Big on facts," Damon boasted proudly.

"Well, the lore says that there was this wave of anti-witch hysteria. It broke out in the neighbouring settlement, so these witches were rounded up. They were tied to stakes in a field together and, uh, burned. Some say you could hear the screams from miles around us. They were consumed by fire. Could you pass the…" Elijah said.

"Charming," Brea muttered and both John and Alaric who were sitting on either side of her nudged her foot before looking at each other with glares.

"I wouldn't repeat this to the historical society," Jenna laughed.

"It's starting to sound a little like a ghost story to me," John mused.

"So why do you want to know the location of these alleged massacres?" Damon asked.

"You know… a healthy historian's curiosity, of course," Elijah said, obviously lying.

"Of course," Damon agreed. "Does anyone care for some cognac?" Damon's voice asked loudly. "I have a bottle I've been saving for ages."

"None for me thanks," Ric replied. "9 bottles of wine is my limit," he said and Brea laughed.

Everyone stood up and Andie spoke up, "the gentlemen should take their drinks in the study."

Brea frowned. "Sexist," she muttered as she looked over and caught Elijah's eye and they both frowned, it was suspicious. "

I have to say the food was almost as wonderful as the company," Elijah complimented.

"I like you," Andie smiled as the men walked out.

"You're not a gentleman," Jenna said turning to John. "Make yourself useful," she dumped plates in his arms and Brea laughed as John smirked at his daughter.

"Here, here. Put me to work," Ric said coming up behind Jenna.

"Um, I got it," Jenna said icily walking away. Ric and Brea exchanged looks, confused by Jenna's behaviour towards Ric.

"Hey, Jenna, are you- are you ok?" he asked.

"Yeah, fine, Ric," she said walking off.

"I'm on it," Brea said saluting Ric and following Jenna. "Jenna!"

"Brea?" Jenna sang back with a smile.

"What's up with you and Ric?"

"Nothing," Jenna dismissed.

"Liar."

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Ok, Jenna, we're not getting anywhere," Brea laughed.

Ric came bursting in. "We forgot dessert!" he said quickly before running out again.

Brea and Jenna turned from where Ric ran in to face each other. "Ok," Jenna scowled. "I'll get the dessert started."

"I'll get the coffee," Brea said and they slowly and confusedly walked off to do their jobs.

As Brea poured the coffee into their cups Damon, Ric, and Elijah came back into the dining room and Jenna came out of the kitchen. "Sorry guys. Dessert is taking longer than I thought. I usually just unwrap food," Jenna apologised.

"That's very true," Brea agreed with a smile as she finished pouring the coffee, causing Jenna to scoff and nudge her.

"Come help," Jenna smiled dragging Brea away by her elbow.

"Ready to spill the beans?" Brea asked.

"Urgh, it's just John, your father," she shuddered. "I think I'm letting him get in my head."

"Jenna!"

"I'm sorry. It's just what he says kind of makes sense. Secrets and stuff."

"John's just jealous because Elena and I prefer Ric over him."

"You think?"

"Yeah, John can be an ass. And I have half his DNA, so Elena and I are so screwed," Brea laughed.

Jenna laughed. "Yeah, you got no hope."

"Seriously how long does it take you to cook dessert?" Brea asked checking the oven.

"No! No! Don't touch Brea! You are an even worse cook than I am!"

"I'm trying to help," Brea said leaning down at the oven.

"No back off," Jenna said nudging Brea out of the way with her hip making her fall to the ground.

"Brea, stay away from the dessert or I'm not making you guys food for a week!" Jenna threatened.

"Jenna, you don't make our food anyway. Elena does."

Jenna huffed. "Yeah, you're right."

Brea laughed, "Lena's away for a few days and she pre-cooked us meals for a week. I'm not going to go hungry with your threats," Brea laughed and Jenna smiled opening the oven.

"Ok, it's ready," she said pulling it out.

"It looks…"

"Kinda…"

"Burnt," Brea said.

"Yeah," Jenna frowned.

"If we serve it, they won't be able to say no. They'll eat it," Brea said looking at Jenna.

"Could be kinda fun."

"Let's do it," Brea said rubbing her hands together as they began serving.

"Alright, guys! Dessert is served," Jenna said walking into the dining room before freezing. "Where's Elijah?" she asked.

Brea looked around confused. Something was wrong. "Damon?" she asked.

"He had to go," Damon said frantically. "Brea, can we talk?" he said taking her hand and dragging her off. "Sorry Brenna, I need to get you to your lake house and I really don't want to be yelled at for an hour," he apologised.

"What are you talking about- ow!" she yelled as she felt a needle enter her arm.

"Sorry," Damon apologised as Brea's vision blurred and she passed out in his arms.

Brea sprung awake with a loud gasp. "Brea?" Elena asked from above Brea.

Brea flung her head out of Elena's lap and yelled. "Salvatore! You are dead do you hear me!" she yelled she spun around to spot Damon and all he did was shrug. "Someone mind telling me what the hell is going on?" she asked.

Stefan stepped forward. "We worked out a way to kill Elijah. We have to stab him in the heart with a special dagger. Ric killed him at the dinner. The problem is the dagger needs to stay in place in order for him to stay dead."

"Cool, so what's the problem?" Brea asked.

"Problem is, sweet Brenna," Damon mocked. "We have the dagger right here, instead of in Elijah," he said holding the dagger up. As soon as Brea saw the dagger she started hyperventilating.

"No! No! No!" she yelled. "Get it away!" she said panicked and Damon quickly hid it from sight.

"Brea! Are you ok?" Elena asked grabbing her shoulders.

"That dagger holds a lot of bad memories," she breathed.

"Hey!" Stefan whispered holding a finger to his lips. "He's here," he said and all of them forgot Brea's meltdown and moved silently to the entrance of the house.

The front door then blew off its hinges and Brea yelled out. "Hey! That was my parent's door!"

"You have to go," Elena said to Stefan. "We need to talk to him alone."

"Elena…"

"Stefan, we're ok. He can't come in the house."

"You know, I might not be able to enter this house," Elijah called. "But I'm a very patient man. I will wait you out."

Elena took Brea's hand and the twins nodded at each other before making their way to the open doorway. "They shouldn't have done what they did," Elena said.

"That's a terrible apology," Brea whispered to her twin. "I didn't know about it by the way," Brea called out to him.

"So I assumed. The deal is off."

"We're renegotiating," Elena offered.

Brea frowned before looking at Elena. "How?" she whispered.

"Shh," Elena hushed her.

"You have nothing left to negotiate with," Elijah said walking forward.

"He's not wrong Lena," Brea whispered. Elena's gaze hardened and she pulled out from behind her back a knife. "Woah! Lena!"

"I'd like to see you lure Klaus into Mystic Falls after the doppelgänger bleeds to death," Elena threatened.

"What?" Brea asked turning to face Elena, Elena jerked Brea's hand signalling her to stay calm.

"Stefan won't let you die," Elijah scoffed.

"No, he won't. He'll feed me his blood to heal me, and then I'll kill myself and become a vampire, just like Katherine did."

Brea smiled at her sister and turned to Elijah. "And I'll help. I've done it before. We're renegotiating."

Elena smiled now that Brea was on her side. "Unless you want that to happen again, promise us the same as before. Promise us you won't harm anyone that we love, even if they've harmed you."

"I'm sorry, Brenna, Elena. I'm going to have to call your bluff." Elena huffed and turned the knife towards her stomach.

Brea became uneasy and spoke up, "Elena…" Elena looked into Brea's eyes. "Hey can still lure Klaus back here if you're a vampire," she realised as she glanced at Elijah. "He has me. But I can't become a vampire," she whispered as she grabbed Elena's hand and turned the knife towards herself.

"Brea," Elena tried to pull away but Brea held onto the knife firmly.

"Trust me," she looked over at Elijah. "He won't let me die. He loves me, remember? Apparently, I'm like his sister," she muttered before plunging the knife into her stomach and screaming in pain.

"NO!" Elijah roared running to the door. Elena supported Brea's body as Brea kept yelling in pain. "Yes! Yes, you can have your deal! Give her to me now!" Elijah screamed.

Elena shook her head. "Give me your word!"

"You have my word, give her to me now!" Elijah said desperately. Elena then staggered outside with Brea and Elijah lunged forward, grabbing Brea from her sister's arm and he immediately gave her his wrist for her to drink his blood. After Elena was satisfied Brea had enough blood, she ran forward and pushed Brea out of the way before plunging the dagger into Elijah's heart, neutralising him.

"Brea," Elena said with a shaky voice as she dropped to the floor and grabbed her sister, pulling her into a hug. "I'm so so sorry," Elena cried, tears flowing. Elena then pulled up Brea's shirt to see her wound healed. "Oh thank god," Elena breathed.

"Little tip, don't pull the dagger out," Damon spoke, staring at Elijah's body. Brea looked over and her face filled with remorse at her daggered friend.

Damon, Stefan and Elena dropped Brea off at her house on the way to the boarding house so she could rest. "Brea!" Jenna yelled at her as soon as she walked in the door. "Where did you go tonight? Oh my god is that blood?" Jenna asked panicking as she took in Brea's appearance.

"Um, yeah. It's not mine," Brea lied. "Matt called me after I spoke to Damon. The other guy working at the grill tonight cut his hand up pretty bad. Matt had to stay and watch the place so he called me to drive him to the hospital. I got some of his blood on me. It was kind of an emergency I had to go quickly."

"Oh, ok," Jenna nodded. "Look I'm heading to bed. Had a big fight with Ric and I'm so over this day," Jenna moaned going up the stairs. "I'll see you in the morning sweetie."

New Orleans, 1914

" Bekah is talking to your witch," Brenna whispered in Kol's ear.

" Ah come on love. Probably just being a bit nasty. It is Bex after all," Kol whispered back kissing her cheek.

" Kol, be serious. If the witch tells Bekah what you plan to do she'll tell Nik immediately. And we both know how that will go."

" Bekah already knows darling."

" What?"

" She caught me pilfering through Nik's room earlier. She's on board with the plan. Don't worry love."

" Kol…"

" Relax darling. It's Christmas. Speech time," he said grabbing Brenna's waist and leading her to the staircase. As they arrived in position, Kol raised his glass to their witch, Freya, and she returned the gesture.

" Smile for this picture Kol," Brenna ordered. "Or it will be the last picture I take with you."

" As you wish," he said as the Mikaelson family had their photo taken.

Niklaus then tapped the side of his glass causing silence to fall over the party. "As you know, when the Mikaelsons arrived in Louisiana we brought with us the tradition of holiday bonfire season. Now we invite you chosen few to join us in our family's own tradition of writing wishes for each other and burning them for luck. The holidays are a time for celebrating family and friends. It is especially gratifying in times when treachery runs deep," Nik said causing both Brenna and Kol to stiffen. Brenna looked Kol as Nik continued. "To know you have someone you can trust. A toast to you, my sister. To Rebekah."

" Go, go!" Brenna said pushing Kol as the crowd all cheered Rebekah. Kol slowly let go of Brenna's hand and made his way past Elijah and up the stairs hardly taking his eyes off Brenna. Elijah and Nik then both disappeared as they ran to ambush Kol.

Brenna went to run after them, but Rebekah grabbed her. "Don't," Rebekah warned her. "It's not worth it. You can't stop it."

" Let me go," Brenna snapped. "You've betrayed me in the worst possible way Rebekah," Brenna hissed yanking her arm away from her friend and running up the stairs. "Please don't!" she begged Nik and Elijah as she reached their location on the top of the stairs. "Please, I beg you."

" Sorry Brenna," Elijah said as he grabbed Kol from behind and ripped his jacket off of him.

" Ladies and gentlemen, I apologise for the disturbance," Nik spoke to his guests. "But what's a Mikaelson family party without a little squabble?" he said as he pulled out the dagger.

" No!" Brenna screamed and before she could blink she found herself on the lower level of the Mikaelson compound being held by Marcel who had run her down the stairs. "Nik!" she screamed at the top of her lungs. "Please! No!"

"Darling," Kol called out before he screamed in pain as Klaus shoved the dagger into his chest.

Brenna let out a scream in anguish, "Kol! No! Kol!" she screamed and screamed before her body relaxed in Marcel's arms as she let her tears flow wildly. Rebekah tried to take Brenna's hand to comfort her but Brenna ripped her hand away. "Don't touch me!" she screamed before looking up at Elijah and locking eyes with him as she read the sorrow in his eyes. She then turned around and buried her head in Marcel's shoulder as she continued to bawl her eyes out.

Chapter Text

EDITED OCT22

"It was bad. You know, John planted all these seeds about Isobel," Ric explained to the twins after Brea segwayed the conversation away from Katherine escaping the tomb and on to his relationship with Jenna. "And now Jenna knows I'm lying about something."

"John's going to end up dead on the kitchen floor if he's not careful," Elena scowled.

Brea nudged her sister lightly, "I mean it's true. He does have a bad experience with kitchen floors." Elena and Ric both turned to look at her funny. "What? It's where he ended up after Katherine cut off his fingers," she shrugged.

"Oh," Elena acknowledged quietly.

"Yeah," Ric said quietly before moving on. "Well, easier said than done. I gave him back his ring. But Jenna keeps asking about Isobel. You know, was she murdered? Why haven't they found the body? I mean, how much longer can she stay in the dark?"

"You think we should tell her the truth?" Elena asked shocked.

"Yes," Brea said. "Obviously. I hate lying to her."

"I'm saying I can't be with her and not tell her. It's not fair to her, and it's not the kind of relationship I want."

"Woah," Brea said standing up. "Nah uh. We have to tell her then, this can't happen. Oh my god, Jeremy's going to kill us," Brea said slumping down in her chair.

"Not to mention it's becoming more dangerous for her not to know," Elena added.

"Right. That too," Brea said pulling her head up.

"I just thought that we'd at least hold off until after we've dealt with Klaus."

"You mean after you've already potentially died?" Brea asked incredulously and Elena looked down at her shoes.

"Right. You know, and even then, how do we tell someone what we know? How does someone hear that?" Elena asked.

"Well, I'd say kind of the same way Stefan told us?" Brea suggested.

"Look, I'm sorry to put this on you two," Ric apologised. "But I feel it's your decision to make and whatever you decide to do, I'll respect it. I want to be honest with her. But until then, Jenna and I are done," Ric said.

"No!" Brea said outraged. "Oh god, this is so much pressure!"

"Hello?" Brea called out as she entered the Salvatore boarding house.

"Brenna?" Damon asked as he came into the entryway.

"Hmm, not you," Brea said walking around him. "Katerina!" Brea sang as she entered the living room.

"Care for a walk sister?" a voice sang back behind her.

Brea smirked and turned around. "I would love one. Bye boys," she called out without looking at the Salvatores as she and Katherine left the house. "So, you got out of the tomb."

"Yes, I did."

"So the compulsion broke but I still don't have my memories back."

"I think whatever is blocking your memory is a spell. Need a witch to undo that one. How did you dagger Elijah anyway? He's strong."

"Umm."

"What happened?"

"Well, the plan changed, and it worked so who cares right?" Brea smiled walking faster.

Katherine ran in front of her. "Tell me."

"Ok fine. Elena was going to stab herself."

"Joy."

"Stop it. She was going to stab herself in order to get him to agree to the deal again. Can't draw Klaus into town with a dead doppelganger. Elijah wasn't really buying it so just before she went to stab herself, I grabbed the knife and stabbed myself."

"What!"

"Just listen. I knew that if Elena died Elijah could still use me to draw Klaus into town. By stabbing myself he had no choice. He wasn't going to let me die. He agreed to the deal, healed me, and then Elena stabbed him."

"And this is all ok with you?" Katherine asked angrily.

"I mean yeah. It keeps everyone I love alive."

"Elijah got daggered."

"And I feel bad about it. But he was going to let Elena die."

"You can't just plunge a knife into yourself!"

"Hey, you stabbed Jenna!"

"That was different. I told her which part to stab so she wouldn't die."

"It's fine."

"No, Brenna. It's not. What if you died?"

"Well, I guess I'd just come back to life again right!" Brea yelled

"Oh my god," Katherine huffed laughing. "Seriously? This again?"

"What?" Brea asked confused.

"You don't even have your memories and you're still doing this reckless thing."

"What reckless thing?" Brea asked irritated.

"It's a little stage you go through in every bloody life. You take stupid risks. You do it every time."

"Do not."

"You don't even remember."

"Good point."

"Letting yourself get stabbed and not caring. It's all part of this stupid stage you go through. You have to knock it off now or you're going to get yourself in serious trouble. Trust me. You hate dying. And now is not the time to be rebellious. When Klaus gets to town and he will… he's coming for you."

"Wait I thought…"

"Not to hurt you. He's obsessed with you. He'll want you by his side. And if you start pulling these stupid stunts and allowing yourself to get hurt by others he won't hesitate to kill them. And I know you won't be able to handle that."

Brea's eyes were filled with tears but she nodded. "I just want my memories," she whispered. "I love my family now but I don't remember who I really am and it's tearing me apart. I just can't cope with these feelings because I don't know what I'm feeling. I just watched Elijah get daggered and it broke my heart but I can't remember why. As far as I'm concerned now, he's the original vampire who's trying to get my sister killed, I have no reason to care about him but watching him get hurt, killed me. And as soon as I saw that bloody dagger which I'd never seen before, I nearly had a panic attack. But do I remember why? No! Because I don't have bloody memories!"

"I know," Katherine said sympathetically. "I get it. Look let's just go back to the house ok? Your phone's been buzzing like crazy in your bag, Elena clearly wants attention."

"It's girl's night. She's probably just wondering where I am."

"I'm here! I'm here! Don't start without me!" Brea yelled as she barrelled through the front door. "Oh hey guys," she greeted Elena, Caroline, Bonnie and Jenna who were standing in the kitchen. "You started without me."

"It's hard to hold off hanging out when everyone's here but you," Elena laughed. "Speaking of, Jenna's joining girl's night!"

"Good call!" Brea said giving Elena an approving nod.

"You did come in yelling at a bad time though," Jenna said.

"Oh, what were you guys talking about?" Brea asked throwing her bag down on the couch.

"Relationships," Caroline answered.

"Yikes. I'm out," Brea laughed.

"Oh come on Brea," Jenna said grabbing her hand. "I don't get it you know. I mean you're cute as a button and you're not dating anyone? Doesn't make sense."

Bonnie laughed. "The only guys in our year level who don't want to ask her out are Stefan, Tyler and Matt."

"Helpful Bon," Brea said sarcastically.

"Come on Brea, go out with someone," Jenna said.

"I can't," Brea said.

"Why not?" Jenna asked and Brea locked eyes with Elena in a panic, not knowing how to answer.

"You know what we need?" Caroline said coming to the rescue. "Dancing. There is a band at the Grill."

"I'm in," Bonnie said.

"In," Jenna agreed.

"In," Elena also agreed and everyone turned to look at Brea.

"You just want to see Matt," Brea stated and Caroline's eyes widened. "So I'm definitely in. I love Matt." Caroline then clapped her hands excitedly and all the girls grabbed their bags and headed out the door.

Brea, Elena, Caroline, Bonnie and Jenna were laughing their heads off as they bounced through the door to the Grill. The band was already playing and the Grill was packed. "Wow!" Jenna gasped, looking around.

Brea looked around the Grill for Matt and spotted Ric standing to the side and her eyes widened and she leaned into Elena whispering. "Mr Cool alert! Mr Cool alert!"

"What?" Elena asked with a smile as she pulled away and Brea nodded her head in Ric's direction. "Oh."

"I need a drink," Jenna spoke up as she spotted him.

"Elena! You had one job!" Brea joked shaking her head.

"Why was that my job?" Elena laughed.

"Hey, Matt," they heard Caroline say from beside them and Brea's head whipped around.

"Matt?" she asked as he walked past them ignoring Caroline. "Wait no! Come back!" Brea called after him. She turned back to her friends. "I'll be back in one moment, Matt's in for a beating," she said before walking off after Matt. "Oi, punk."

"Hey Brea," he greeted happily.

"So what happened with Care? I mean you were talking this morning?"

"Yeah, didn't go so well," he said as he picked up plates.

"You know she dragged us all here tonight so she could see you."

"You guys would have come here anyway I'm sure. You guys are here all the time."

"True…"

"Look, Brea, I got to run out to the kitchen, but I'll catch you after my shift ends."

"Ok cool cool cool cool. See ya," she said walking back to the girls.

"Oh, there you are!" Elena said. "Jenna just sent me a text asking me 'where the troublesome one is?'"

"Did you reply with your location?" Brea asked with glee as Elena rolled her eyes before turning back to Caroline who was taking off her jacket. "Woah, where are you going?" Brea asked. Caroline didn't reply but threw her jacket over Brea's head and strutted off to the stage. Brea took the jacket off her head. "Bon, what's she doing?"

"I have no idea," Bonnie answered confused.

"Hey everybody!" Caroline said stepping in front of the microphone. "Let's hear it for the band!" she called out as Jenna got back to the girls and everyone cheered.

"This isn't going to end well," Jenna said downing her shot.

"Wait, what isn't? Jenna, what's going on?" Brea asked.

"So there's this guy," Caroline continued and Brea understood what was happening.

"Oh no!" she whispered head spinning round to face her friend on stage.

"And, uh, he told me to tell him how I feel about him."

"Matthew you fool," Brea said running her hand down her face.

"Like it's so easy. Um, you know, just cause I talk a lot doesn't mean I always know what I'm actually talking about…" she rambled.

"Exhibit A," Brea said peeking out through her fingers.

"Ah, like now, I'm feeling loopy and I don't really know how to express myself." The guitarist behind Caroline moved to grab the mic and Caroline threw her hands on it tightly so he couldn't take it. "I can sing. Yeah! Yeah. You know what, I'm going to sing."

"Sing?" Elena asked confused.

"This may work," Brea said tilting her head. "She's actually a good singer." Caroline then began singing.

"She's good," Jenna noted and all the girls nodded.

"Where is that Matthew?" Brea asked looking around the Grill. She spotted him across the room and they locked eyes. Brea raised her eyebrows and jerked her head towards the stage with a nod. He nodded back and took a deep breath before he went up onto the stage, grabbed Caroline and kissed her. Everyone cheered and Matt dipped Caroline in response. "Matthew! Matthew!" Brea whooped happily.

Bonnie and Brea were on their way to the bathroom when Elena cut them off, "I wouldn't. Caroline and Matt are…"

"Oh wow, that didn't take long!" Brea laughed.

"In the bathroom?" Bonnie asked shocked.

"If they're happy, I'm happy," Elena laughed before turning to Brea. "Come on. I'll buy you another coke. I owe you about a million of them after last night."

"Um, hey," Bonnie called after the twins, following them. "Speaking of happy, would it freak you guys out if I started dating your brother?" As soon as she said this the twins froze and slowly turned to face Bonnie.

"You're into our brother?" Elena asked.

"You're into Jer?" Brea asked. "Bon, I mean I love the kid, but you could do better."

"I know it's weird, but he's been so good and strong. It makes me happy."

Brea leant into Elena and whispered. "She just described Jer as strong Lena. I don't think knows our brother."

Brea looked back and forth between the twins, "I really can't tell what you're thinking right now…"

Elena let out a nervous laugh. "I'm thinking that our brother has had more pain in his life than a hundred people's worth of pain, and…"

"I don't know where this is going," Brea said with a frown.

Elena huffed at her sister. "He deserves to be with someone as amazing as you."

"Oh," Brea said with a smile. "That's what I was hoping she'd say."

"Really?" Bonnie asked shocked.

"Really," both twins said.

"Ah, Bonnie has a boyfriend," Brea squealed before jumping on Bonnie to pull her into a hug. Elena laughed from behind before joining the hug.

After a moment Elena's phone rang and they all pulled away. "Hey, Stefan, I'm at the Grill," she said answering it. "I can't hear you. Hold… yeah," she said excusing herself.

"So Bon," Brea said turning around to face her friend. "Well she's gone," Brea muttered noticing Bonnie had walked off. "AH!" Brea yelled as lights started smashing around her. "Ouch," she muttered bringing her hand up to her head and noticed some of the flying glass had cut her. "Dammit," she muttered looking around the Grill for her sister. "Elena!" she yelled.

"Brea," Ric yelled from behind her.

"Ric!"

"Your head," he said tilting her head so he could see. "Come on we got to get out of her. Jonas is here for Elena, no doubt he'll grab you if he sees you as well. We got to go," he said taking her hand. They walked through the Grill until they came across Jenna. "It's time to get out of here," he told her grabbing her other hand.

"I have to find Elena," Jenna said hesitantly.

"She's with Stefan, she's ok," Ric reassured.

"Oh my god Brea you're head!" Jenna said stopping.

"I know Jenna, come on we have to go," Brea said pulling her aunt through the crowd. "Oh my god!" Brea screamed as the bar was set on fire.

"We have to go now!" Ric ordered.

"Ric, it's Jonas. It's magic," Brea whispered.

"I know. Which is why we've got to get you out of here quickly," he whispered back tugging her arm and dragging her out of the Grill.

"Ric!" Damon called across the parking lot spotting them.

"Damon," Ric said running them across the parking lot.

"Here I'll take Brea," Damon said holding his arms out.

Ric released Brea's hand but Brea didn't move. "Yeah, she's not going anywhere with you," Jenna snorted.

Damon looked at Brea, "I have Elena, Brea let's go."

Brea nodded understanding. "It's ok Jenna. I left something of mine at the boarding house a while ago. I just have to go get it. I'll be home soon," she said moving towards Damon who wrapped his arm around her, guiding her to his car.

"Are you ok? Your bleeding? Did he hurt you?" Damon asked.

"I'm fine. Just some flying glass," she said looking up at him as they reached the car.

"What?"

"You care."

"Of course, I care."

"You never show it."

"Yeah well. Don't tell anyone," Damon smirked. "Figured I've got a lot of grovelling to do with you so I may as well show you I care," he said with a smile before opening the car door.

"You changed," Brea said looking at Elena.

"Yeah, Katherine's in my clothes. They're setting up a trap at home for Dr Martin," Elena said sourly.

"Well that's a good idea isn't it?"

"I don't trust her. I don't want her in the house."

Brea scoffed. "Lena, she's trying to save your life. I'll admit it is unusual though."

They sat in silence the rest of the way home. After a few minutes, they reached the twin's house and went inside. Elena eventually broke the silence and asked Damon, "how did you guys convince her to do this?"

"We didn't," Damon said. "It was actually her idea."

"Wow. That's… not good."

"You could say thanks?" Brea offered.

"No. No, that's not good at all," Damon agreed with Elena.

"Everything's taken care of," Stefan said coming down the stairs.

"I'm guessing you're going to want this back," Katherine said taking off Elena's necklace. "But your pretty little outfit is going to need a good dry clean," Katherine said gesturing to Dr Martin's blood on Elena's top.

Elena stormed forward and snatched the necklace back before turning to Stefan. "You're going to have to get her out of here before Jenna gets home."

"Elena," Brea said disapprovingly.

"Is that all you have to say to me?" Katherine asked incredulously.

"This doesn't change the way I feel about you," Elena snarled.

"I don't much like you either," Katherine growled. "You let my sister stab herself, you're lucky I didn't kill you for that alone, but if we're going to be open. Frankly, I'd be happy to see you dead, but if we're going to try to take on Klaus, we kinda need you to be alive. So I'm not a threat to you, Elena. If any of you are going to believe anything, believe that. See you tomorrow, Brenna," Katherine said walking out of the house.

The Salvatores and Elena turned to face Brea at this, "I don't know what she's talking about. I don't have plans with her," Brea defended raising her hands.

"Hey," Elena and Brea greeted as Jenna walked through the door.

Brea got up from the couch and walked over to the entrance to greet her aunt. "You made it home," Elena noted.

"Tonight was very weird," Jenna said walking through the hall. "Everything with Ric, Brea going off with Damon, very weird," she said as she wandered into the kitchen.

"Tell me about it," Brea breathed before sharing a look with Elena. "Bambi?" Brea asked.

Elena glared, "no."

"Why not? Jer's with Bonnie. I have no other friends."

Elena tilted her head and smiled. "You have plenty of friends."

"None that are here and willing to watch Bambi!"

"I'm not willing," Elena said walking off.

"No, come back!" Brea said following Elena into the kitchen with Jenna.

"Are John and Jeremy asleep?" Jenna asked.

Elena looked at Brea with a smirk knowing Bonnie was upstairs. "I think so."

"If I go to bed right now, there's a chance I'll wake up hangover-free," Jenna mused.

"But if you go to bed right now, Elena and I will eat all of your ice cream," Brea said taking Jenna's spoon of ice cream and eating it.

Jenna looked at Elena and Elena nodded as the doorbell rang. "Who's that?" Jenna asked.

"I'm not answering," Brea said with a mouth full of ice cream. Jenna got up and went to answer the door. "Move," Brea whined, shoving her sister with her hip. Elena then looked in the direction that Jenna went and slowly stood up. Elena then started walking off. "Wait where are you going?" Brea asked before getting up to follow but not before taking another scoop of ice cream.

As Elena turned the corner to the hall, she stopped short causing Brea to walk into her. Brea moved from behind Elena to look at who shocked Elena. Brea's heart stopped as she took in Isobel standing in the doorway in front of Jenna. "I'm Brenna and Elena's mother," she greeted their aunt.

"Isobel," Elena all but hissed as Jenna stared at the girls in shock.

"Hello Elena, Brenna," Isobel greeted them from the doorway as Jenna stared at the girls. "It's nice to see you two again."

"Again?" Jenna breathed out in shock as she looked on the verge of tears.

"Bugger," Brea breathed out as Elena just opened and closed her mouth, unable to say anything.

"So you're the woman who's dating my husband," Isobel said with a smirk at Jenna. "I need to speak to the twins. May I come in?"

"No!" Elena said quickly finding words. "No. Don't invite her in."

"I need to talk to you both, Elena," Isobel argued.

"No!" Brea and Elena yelled as Elena leaned forward and slammed the door closed.

Brea and Elena looked up at Jenna as a tear finally fell from her eyes. "You both knew she was still alive?" The silence the twins gave her was answer enough. "And Ric? John? Did they know?"

"Jenna…" Brea started as she began to cry as well.

"I can explain everything, Jenna," Elena said.

"No," Jenna said storming up the stairs.

"Jenna please!" Brea called.

"Wait. Jenna!" Elena called after her.

"Jenna! Please wait," the girls cried as Jenna slammed her bedroom door closed and locked it.

"Jenna, you have to talk to us," Elena pleaded.

"We can explain everything, Jenna, please. Talk to us," Brea said knocking on the door.

"Jenna, please. I…" Elena started before going quiet as the twins heard Jenna crying from the other side of the door. Brea started to cry more and slowly slid down the door and Elena sat down next to her. That was the way the twins sat for the rest of the night.

"Hey, hey, wake up," Elena said shaking Brea awake from the floor.

"Did she come out?" Brea asked.

"No. Damon called Ric. He's at the door," Elena explained. Brea nodded and got up to follow her sister.

"Hey, is she up yet?" Ric asked coming into the house.

The twins shook their heads and Elena explained, "she won't come out of her room."

"What did you tell her?" Ric asked.

"Nothing," Brea yawned. "She won't talk to us."

"We're going to have to fix this guys," Ric sighed.

"Yeah," the twins breathed as Jenna began coming downstairs. "Hey!" the twins greeted.

"Jenna," Ric started.

"I don't want you here, Ric. You need to go," Jenna said without looking at any of them.

"Listen, I can't begin to imagine what you must be feeling right now," Ric tried to say.

"Rage and betrayal would pretty much cover it," Jenna said and Brea nodded her head.

"Where are you going?" Elena asked.

"I'm going to stay on campus. I have a thesis to write and I don't wanna be in this house," Jenna said.

"Jenna, please, just stop. Let us explain to you exactly what is going on," Ric pleaded.

"Brea or Elena. I need one of you two to go to the Lockwoods today and accept the Historical Society's check for your mom's foundation," Jenna said.

"Okay, but Jenna, please just," Elena tried to say before Jenna cut her off.

"I don't have it in me to hear any more lies from you," Jenna growled before running out of the house.

"Jenna just-" Brea tried to say as the door slammed.

"Let her go," John spoke from behind them.

Brea turned around and yelled, "shut up!"

John ignored her outburst and continued. "It's better that she's not here with everything that's going on. But maybe if you had been a little more honest with her from the beginning, this-" John said before Alaric cut him off by punching him in the face. Both twins gasped in shock and jumped back at this.

"Sorry Brea, Elena," Ric said letting himself out of the house.

The twins turned to John and Elena sneered "you know this is your fault, right?"

"Right," John admitted looking down. Elena scoffed and took Brea's hand and dragged them upstairs.

"Not it for the Historical Society gig as well," Brea said before Elena could get out of it and Elena groaned as they stormed up the stairs.

Brea was pacing in her room calling Jenna's phone when Elena and Stefan came and stood in the doorway.

"Caroline told Matt about vampires last night," Stefan explained. "He freaked out about Vicki and ran out, Caroline can't find him."

"Oh shit!"

"And now she doesn't know where he is," Elena added.

"There's a place in the woods he, Ty and I used to go to when we were younger. Like a clubhouse, he could be there?" Brea suggested and then turned around hearing footsteps behind.

"Brea, Elena, can you two come downstairs, please? I need to talk to you both," John said.

"We've nothing to say to you," both twins snapped.

"Please. It's important. You too, Stefan." The twins looked at each other, rolled their eyes and began making their way downstairs, followed by Stefan. As they reached the bottom of the stairs they both froze as they took in the sight of Isobel standing in their kitchen.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Brea growled.

"I asked John for a do-over," Isobel said.

Elena spun around to glare at John. "You invited her in!"

"She has information about Klaus," he said quietly. "Please just listen to her okay?"

"We could have listened to her at the Grill. You don't invite vampire bitch moms into the house, John!" Brea yelled.

Both twins looked at Stefan and he nodded, stepping forward. "Alright, what do you know?"

"Since I was last here, I've been doing everything possible to find Klaus. We knew our best chance was to find him before he could find you."

"Best chance at what?" Stefan asked.

"Keeping Elena alive and keeping Brea with her family," John answered.

"You don't get to talk, okay?" Elena said to John. "Not after everything you've done."

"Were you able to find Klaus?" Stefan asked trying to avoid a fight.

"No. Nobody knows where he is."

"Great," Brea snarked. "So you're no help."

Isobel looked at Brea before continuing, "There are these rumours that are flying around that a doppelgänger exists."

"Which means that any vampire that wants to get in favour with Klaus, will be lining up to capture you. You find the doppelganger, you find Brea as well. Two for one deal with Klaus."

"I'm not buying any of this," Elena said before facing Isobel. "The last time that you were here, you make it clear that you didn't give a damn about us and now all of a sudden I'm supposed to believe you want to help?"

"Isobel's been helping all along," John explained. "Klaus has been obsessed with finding Katherine for centuries and Brea for a millennium. All it would take was one of those 1864 tomb vampires to spread the word around that Katherine was still alive and it would bring him straight here to Mystic Falls where you were both bound to be discovered. So we killed them."

"And almost killed Stefan and Damon in the process!" Elena snapped.

"And you did kill Anna!" Brea yelled as well.

"Yeah," John admitted.

Isobel stood up, "I have a safe house that I can take you both to. The deed is in both of your names. No vampires can get in without your permission. Not even me. Let me help you."

Elena walked up to Isobel. "You want to help? Then get the hell out of our house."

"Agreed," Brea smirked. "You know where the door is."

"Matt!" Brea yelled as she and Caroline walked through the woods.

"Are you sure he's out here? This place is gross," Caroline complained.

"It's the first place I'd go. Anyway, our hangout is close to here. So you can't come any further."

"Wait, what?"

"Sacred childhood promise. You get it."

"No. No, I don't. We have to find Matt."

"Look, I'm sure you, Elena and Bonnie have a hangout you haven't told me about."

"No. We included you in everything."

"Huh."

"Come on, let's just go to the place," Caroline said taking a step forward.

"No can do," Brea sang. "Look, Care, I'm worried about Matt, but we made a blood pact, I really don't want to see if they make me follow through on the punishment."

"Brea!"

"Care!"

"Fine, fine. Go on. I'll wait here," Caroline said crossing her arms.

"Thank you!" Brea smiled walking off. After walking for a minute and checking the area, she walked back to Caroline. "I think he was there, but he's not anymore."

"How can you tell?"

"There's a rock. We have to sign our initials each time we go there. His initials are the last ones."

"How do you know they're from now?" Caroline asked as they started walking back towards the Lockwoods.

"Well, I was there a week ago, when Ty ran away. So I signed it last, so that means he's been there sometime in the week, I'd assume that's today because you know… vampires."

"We're here!" Caroline said before running off.

"Wait… Care!" Brea called running after her friend.

"Mrs Lockwood, have you seen Matt?" Caroline asked running into the house, Brea on her tail. "I thought he was working a catering shift at today's luncheon."

"Hey Mrs Lockwood," Brea breathed as she tried to regain her breath.

Mrs Lockwood looked between the two girls. "No, I haven't, honey, sorry. But, if you see him, could you ask if he's heard from Tyler? I know Brea has a bit, I was just hoping maybe he had as well."

"Yeah of course," Caroline agreed.

"I'm sorry Mrs Lockwood, I don't think he has, but we'll make sure to double-check," Brea also promised.

"You still haven't heard anything?" Caroline asked Mrs Lockwood.

"No. The note he left said he needed time to figure some things out. But, I wish I knew where he was."

"Uh, excuse us," Caroline said after rubbing Mrs Lockwood's arm. She then grabbed Brea's arm and dragged her along behind her.

"Ow, ow, ow, I'm just a little human, don't hurt me," Brea whispered trying to yank her arm out of Caroline's grip.

"Hey," Stefan greeted the pair as they reached him and Elena. "Any luck finding Matt?"

"None," Caroline replied dejectedly. "What if he tells somebody? What if he tells everybody?"

"We just got to find him and make sure that doesn't happen," Stefan tried to reassure. "Do you have any idea where he'd be?" Stefan asked Elena.

"I wish I did. Brea would have a better idea than me, but he wasn't really one to run," Elena said and Brea nodded in agreement.

"You know, this wasn't how it was supposed to happen," Caroline said sadly. "I was supposed to tell him at the right moment, in the right way and he was supposed to be okay because he loves me."

"Well I mean you did save his life last night, he could've said thanks before he flipped out," Brea shrugged.

Elena tilted her head at this comment, before shaking her head. "We'll help you find him I just have to accept this thing for Jenna."

"All right," Caroline said nodding. "Call me when you're done and I'll be out looking for him," Caroline said leaving.

"So, she left me," Brea said as she watched Caroline leave. "And she was my ride, so I'm going to hang around with you guys."

"Maybe he'll come around," Stefan said comforting Elena. "You both did."

Elena smiled and then turned to Brea. "So now you're going to hang around at a function you forced me to come to because you didn't want to go?"

"Pretty much," Brea nodded. "Do you think they've got food around here somewhere?"

"So someone bit John?" Brea asked. Stefan and Elena had run outside and grabbed Brea, quickly pulling her towards the car. Someone had attacked John in the middle of the house.

"It's Isobel, Damon. It's gotta be," Elena said on the phone as they walked to the car.

"Tell him he needs to get over here and deal with John's body," Stefan said.

"You got some serious explaining to do to the council about John being not-so-dead," Elena said pocketing the phone. As soon as the phone was away Stefan shoved her into the back of the car.

"Stefan!" Brea yelled. "What the hell?"

Stefan ignored her and grabbed Elena's arms. "Where the hell is she, huh?"

Brea gasped. "Katerina," she realised.

Stefan let out a loud groan as Katherine plunged a syringe filled with vervain into his stomach. "I'm sorry, Stef, but I can't have you following us," she said as Stefan fell unconscious.

"Us?" Brea asked panicked as Katherine threw Stefan into a bush.

Katherine then opened the door to the passenger seat in Stefan's car. "Get in." Brea turned to run away but Katherine was right there. "Get in."

"No. Let me go. What did you do to my sister? Why did you betray Stefan? Why do you want me to come with you?"

"Enough questions," Katherine groaned spinning Brea around and grabbing her arm pulling her to the car. "Now get in. Please." Brea huffed but reluctantly got in the car. "To answer your questions, she's with Isobel, she's meeting us soon, she's fine, for now. I betrayed Stefan because I got a better deal with someone I think has a better chance of winning. I took you because you're coming with us. After we trade Elena and the moonstone to Klaus, I'll have my freedom and we can go wherever we want."

"What!" Brea yelled eyes filling with tears. "You can't do this. You can't. She's my sister. You're a monster," she growled as they pulled into a driveway.

"Get out and get inside. Please," Katherine said, avoiding Brea's eyes as she dialled a number on her phone. "We're at your house. But we have to hurry. Damon knows your lodging tricks," Katherine said into her phone, giving Brea a gentle shove through the doorway. "It will take them 20 minutes to find out where you're staying." Brea stomped into the house. "Good. How far are you?" "He? He who?" Katherine asked, which got Brea's attention. As Brea spun around she saw a man standing in the doorway and gasped loudly, making Katherine turn as well. "Run!" Katherine yelled at Brea before she ran at the man. Brea took off to start running into another room. Katherine only got halfway to the man when he stuck out his hand towards her, causing her to scream in pain, freezing Brea in her tracks.

"Katerina," she breathed running back towards her sister. Brea caught her as she fell to the ground unconscious. "Stop it! Stop it!" Brea screamed at the warlock as he circled them. Brea pulled Katherine's body close to her as the man got closer.

"Let her go," the man said.

"No."

"He doesn't want you just yet. He just wants her. He'll see you later," the warlock said before he started chanting.

"What are you doing?" Brea asked as her vision blurred and she slowly fell unconscious on the floor.

Brea groaned as she woke up, "Brenna?" a voice called to her. "Would be really handy if you woke up right about now."

"Damon?" Brea groaned.

"Brea?" a softer voice spoke.

"Lena?"

"Yep," Damon said. "You awake?"

"Getting there," Brea groaned as she sat up on the couch as Damon left the room.

"Are you ok Brea?" Elena asked.

"I think so. Katherine dragged me back to some house. She thought that we were trading you and the moonstone to Klaus and that we'd run off into the sunset together. Isobel betrayed her. A warlock came, and he knocked her out. For Klaus. He told me that he didn't need me right now, but he'd be back for me. He knows you're here Elena. What happened to you?

"Isobel's dead."

"What?"

"She took me to where her parents made a grave for her. She told me that she used to dream about the day she would meet her twin daughters. I think Klaus compelled her to betray us. I don't think she wanted to do it. She got a call and then after that, she took off her daylight necklace and just caught fire in front of me," she said sadly.

"Wow," Brea sighed. "What a bad day."

"Yeah," Elena sighed in agreement as she fiddled with Isobel's necklace.

"That Isobel's?" Stefan asked entering the room after he heard the twins stop talking.

Elena nodded. "I never thought I would feel bad about her being dead, and yet…"

"Same," Brea agreed.

"She was your mother," Stefan said to the twins.

"Why did they let me go?" Elena asked

Stefan shook his head unsure. "Well, anything that John told Isobel, we have to assume Klaus knows, right? So he knows that you're not going to turn yourself into a vampire. He knows that you have us keeping you safe."

"He knows that I'm not going to run," Elena realised.

"Which is why we need to take some precautions," Damon said coming back into the room. "Because we got played, all of us," he said with a small smile before placing a wad of papers on Elena's lap.

"What's this?" Elena asked.

"Why don't you have a look before you ask Lena?" Brea sniggered leaning over and grabbing the papers. "Woah," she said when she realised what they were.

"It's the deed to our house, it's in Zach's name," Stefan explained to Elena. "As soon as you sign it, it will be in your name."

"Cool!" Brea laughed handing the papers back to Elena.

"You're giving me your house?" Elena asked incredulously.

"Isobel had the right idea with the safe house, just stay here till it's over," Stefan said. "That way you can control who gets invited in and who doesn't."

"Although I'll be super pissed if you lock me out," Damon said.

"Good idea Damon thanks!" Brea smirked. "I mean it's a good idea, Lena. Would hate for Klaus to, oh I don't know, dress up as a pizza delivery guy and have Jer invite him in. Sound familiar?" as soon as she said that John gasped back to life from the ground. "Wow, I did not even see him there," Brea said jumping.

Damon immediately ran at him and held him up to the wall as John started pleading, "I swear, I have no idea what she was going to do. I'm sorry." John then turned to face the girls who were standing together, "I'm so, so, sorry," he said to them sincerely.

Chapter Text

EDITED OCT22

Brea trudged up the stairs to Ric's apartment and knocked on the door. She heard a lot of movement from in the apartment before the door creaked open slightly. "You ok, Ric?" Brea asked trying to peek behind him.

Ric just stared at her before his face slowly lifted into a smile. "Hello sweetheart," he greeted and Brea frowned confused.

"Feeling alright there Ric?" she asked and his face immediately fell.

"Yes," he coughed. "How can I help you?"

"You asked me yesterday to come over in the morning," she said and he just stared at her confused. "Remember?"

"Ah, yes. Now what was that about again Brenna?" he asked.

Brea looked down at the ground at this, he only called her Brenna when she was annoying him. "Um, sorry, you ugh. You wanted to load up my trunk with all the papers you marked, you know, since yours is so full of wooden stakes it won't fit."

"Ah yes, that's right. Now do you know where I'd keep those papers?" he asked.

Brea frowned and tilted her head, unsure of why he was acting strangely. "Kitchen bench. You know if you're not feeling well I can just grab them and leave them on your desk," she said trying to move around him into the apartment, but he stuck his arm in the way preventing her from entering.

Ric then turned to look back into his apartment and let out a little groan. "You just meet me downstairs alright love, I'll grab the papers," he said quickly before closing the door causing her to jump slightly.

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed," she grumbled making her way down the stairs to her car.

"Alright here are the papers," Ric said finally arriving at the car.

"Seriously?" she asked looking at the pile. "That's nothing, you can fit that on your passenger seat!" she exclaimed and all he did was shrug. "You must've wanted to talk to me about something, this is ridiculous. Is it about Jenna?"

"No need to be grumpy love."

"Stop those weird names!" Brea snapped.

Ric just smirked. "As you wish Brenna," he said making her frown again.

"Just give them here," Brea said taking the pile from Ric and putting it in her passenger seat. "I'll see you in class," she said driving off without looking back at him.

"Hey," Brea greeted Elena and Stefan as she entered history class, dropping the papers on Ric's desk as she walked in.

"Hey," the said back.

"Have either of you spoken to Ric today?" she asked.

"No," Elena answered. "Why?"

"I think he's mad at me. He asked me yesterday before he left ours to pop over in the morning and then when I got there he kept calling me Brenna."

"Wow, what did you do?" Elena asked and Brea just shrugged.

"Oh!" Brea exclaimed, grabbing a flyer for the decade dance from a student walking past, she turned to Elena and nodded before handing her sister the flyer. Elena gasped excitedly before waving it at Stefan, who immediately shook his head. Elena then turned to show Bonnie the flyer. Bonnie immediately nodded. Brea snickered and Elena turned to smirk at Stefan.

"Hello, class," Ric said entering the classroom. "What are we learning today?" he asked flicking through the textbook. Elena and Brea turned to look at each other and Brea shrugged as Elena tilted her head at Ric's behaviour.

"With the decade dance we've been covering the '60s all week," Dana answered from the front.

"Right, the '60s," Ric said before he started staring at Elena.

When he eventually looked away Brea leant over. "Maybe he's mad at you?"

"Huh?" Elena asked.

"He was staring at you."

"He was?" Elena asked causing Brea to groan and sit back in her chair.

"The, uh, the '60s," Ric said as he kept turning his head from the blackboard to Brea.

"I think it's you he's mad at," Elena whispered in her ear and Brea just rolled her eyes.

"I wish there was something good I could say about the '60s, right Brenna?" he asked smirking at her, making her frown, confused. "But, actually they kind of sucked. Except for the Beatles of course. They made it bearable. Uh, what else was there? The Cuban missile thing, the, uh, we walked on the moon. There was Watergate."

"Watergate was the '70s, Ric," Elena interrupted and the whole class turned to stare at her. "I mean, Mr Saltzman," she stuttered.

"Right. It kind of mushes together up there, the '60s, '70s. Thank you, Elena."

Brea leant forward in her seat again and snorted in Elena's ear, "well now he's mad at you, know-it-all," she snickered leaning back causing Elena to turn back to face her mouth wide in amusement.

"Oi! Gilbert!" Brea called as she and Elena arrived at Jeremy and Bonnie's table. "You've got some serious explaining to do punk."

"What'd I do?" he asked.

"Hey, Jer. How are you doing?" Elena asked. "Are you ok? Alone at the house with John and Brea?"

"That's not alone," Brea said confused but was ignored.

"It's not ideal," he answered not even looking at them.

"Hey!" Brea said offended. "You know it'd be better if you actually hung around in the morning instead of running off. You weren't meant to come to Ric's with me this morning, but I get up and you're already gone. What's up with that bro?" she asked annoyed.

"You haven't heard from Jenna have you?" Elena asked before her siblings could start an argument.

"It looks like she's staying on campus. Look, I'm, uh… I'm late for class," he said before sulking off.

Elena sat down and asked Bonnie "what's going on?"

"I'll tell you what's going on, that kid didn't answer me. You know, when I cook tonight I'm going to put extra chilli in his bowl," Brea scowled sitting down next to her sister.

"You don't cook," Elena said turning to look at her.

"Well extra chilli in his takeout then," Brea said dropping her fork on the tray in irritation.

"Ok…" Bonnie said before answering Elena's question. "I told him he had to dress up tonight and he got all uptight."

"Jer's coming?" Brea asked with a mouthful of food and Bonnie nodded. "Oh, I have a flower crown that would go very nicely on his head."

"Do you reckon flower crowns are the '60s or '70s?" Elena asked.

Brea shrugged. "Tie-dye top?"

"Yeah, that's the '60s," Elena nodded.

"On it," Brea smirked.

"Hey, Brea, there you are," Dana said coming up to the table. "Okay. This is gonna sound freaky."

"Oh, do tell," Brea said leaning forward.

"This totally hot guy just asked me to ask you if you're going to the dance tonight."

"She is!" both Bonnie and Elena sang making Brea glare at them both.

"I don't know Dana…"

"You could at least meet him," Dana pleaded. "He'll be at the dance tonight. Look for him. His name is Klaus." At this, all three girls at the table sat up straight.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Elena asked shocked.

"His name's Klaus," Dana repeated confused. "I know the name's stupid Brea, but I swear he's hot."

"Where is he?" Bonnie asked looking around. "Is he here?"

Dana's face then turned to one of confusion. "I don't know."

"She's been compelled," Bonnie realised as Brea turned to look at Elena, fear for her sister fear in her eyes.

"He wants to know if you'll save him the last dance. How cute is that?"

"Tell him no way in hell," Brea snapped. "Sorry, bye Dana," she said before looking at Elena and Bonnie. "We got to go."

"So we go to the dance and find him," Damon said as they stood in the parlour of the Salvatore House discussing what just happened.

"How are we going to do that? We don't know what he looks like," Stefan said.

"Something tells me, he's not going to be 16 and pimply," Damon said before looking at Brea with soft eyes. "Anything Brenna?"

"I'm sorry. I have nothing," she said looking down still freaked out from earlier.

"That's alright," he said kindly.

"He could be anywhere at any time. He compelled somebody at school," Stefan said. "This is not as safe as you guys thought, huh?" he said to Elena and Bonnie.

A knock then sounded on the door and Ric entered. "There you are," Damon said greeting him.

"Sorry I'm late," Ric said coming to stand right beside Brea. "Hey," he greeted her.

"Hey, I need you to put me down as a chaperone at the dance tonight," Damon interrupted. "Klaus made his first move."

"Okay, so we find him and then what? Hmm? What's our plan of attack?" Elena asked.

"Me," Bonnie answered. "I'm the plan. He has no idea how much power I can channel. If you can find him, I can kill him."

"That's not going to be that easy," Ric scoffed. "I mean, he is the biggest, baddest vampire around."

"Alaric has a point. I mean, what if he…" Damon said before charging Bonnie. All Bonnie did was slightly raise her hand and Damon went flying back into a table.

Brea laughed loudly before turning to Bonnie. "Do it again! Do it again!"

"Well, I was impressed," Stefan admired.

"We all were," Brea said leaning forward so Damon could see her smirk.

"It doesn't matter if he's an Original," Bonnie said. "I can take down anyone who comes at me. I can kill him, Elena. I know I can."

"Bloody brilliant," Brea said and Ric's head immediately snapped to look at her. Brea turned to look at him and he just smiled at her, a smile which she returned.

"This is so not fair," Brea grumbled as Damon escorted her through the school parking lot.

"Oh come on. What's to complain about. You've got the hottest date," he smirked.

"I was meant to go with Jer."

"Going to the school dance with your little brother. Lame."

"Yeah, well he wouldn't let me pick his outfit tonight so I had plans to torture him."

"I'm not going to leave you with a human when Klaus is putting the moves on you. I'm not letting you get hurt, so you are going to spend the whole night, this far away from me," he said gesturing one arm's length.

"Buzzkill."

"Damon," Bonnie called as the pair walked into view.

"Evening," he smirked. "And moving," he said ushering Brea inside.

"Thanks for being here, everybody," Dana's voice called over the speaker system as the group of them walked inside the school gym. "We have a special shout-out tonight. This is for Brea. From Klaus," she announced and Brea tensed up. Dedicated to the One I Love by Mamas & Papas then played over the crowd.

"Ew," Brea cringed at the song choice.

"So that arm's length is now closing in," Damon said grabbing her elbow and pulling her closer. "That was a lame, cheap shot. He's just trying to bait us."

"We know everyone here," Elena said looking around.

"Maybe he's not here. He just wants us to believe that he is," Stefan suggested.

"It's a party, people. Blend, let him come to us," Damon instructed.

"Good idea," Bonnie agreed.

"Blending," Brea agreed, trying to move away, but Damon pulled her back.

"Don't be stupid, Brenna. He's creepy. Just stay with me."

Bonnie then went to go dance, dragging Jeremy with her. "No, I really don't feel like dancing" he complained as Bonnie took him away.

"Make him pay Bonnie!" Brea called after her.

"There's Ric," Damon said spotting him. "We'll be back," he said turning Brea's body towards Ric. "And walk."

"Damon!" she complained as he pushed her forward.

"Fine," he said picking her up so her feet were slightly above the ground so she couldn't try to leave. "Much faster," he said when they reached Ric.

As they reached Ric, Ric glared at Damon's hand on Brea's waist. "Hand," Ric snapped and Damon removed it with a smirk. "Special dedication, huh?" Ric noted looking at Brea. "This guy's a little twisted."

"I'm not impressed," Damon scoffed.

"No?" Ric asked looking slightly offended.

"Lame song choice," Brea noted.

"It's a good song," Ric argued.

"Terrible," Brea argued back.

Ric just rolled his eyes. "Always so stubborn."

"Let me know if you see anything out of whack," Damon said interrupting the two. "You," he pointed at Brea. "Forward."

"You're annoying," she grumbled as they moved through the dancefloor.

"We need to talk," Jeremy said, coming up to her at the drinks table.

"I knew you'd come crawling back," Brea smirked as they made their way through the crowd. "You always do."

"What are they up to?" Elena asked coming to stand with her siblings and pointing out Bonnie and Damon dancing.

"Who knows?" Jeremy grumbled.

"Is there something going on, Jer?" Elena asked. "Are you okay?"

"Fine," he answered. "I'm fine." Brea frowned, knowing he was lying and tried to crack her knuckles to intimidate him. Jeremy looked her up and down. "Not as intimidating as you think it is," Jeremy said storming off.

"Jeremy!" Brea yelled running after him, following him into a school hallway. "Jer, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you with my knuckle-cracking. It was a joke! I'm sorry Jer!" Brea called after him.

"It's not the knuckles, Brea," he sighed as he walked.

"Jeremy!" Stefan called out from behind the siblings, causing Jeremy to stop and turn around. "What are you doing? Elena thinks we should stick together."

"Yeah, I'm fine. I've got my ring, Brea's a reincarnating freak. We're good."

"Hey!" Brea whined. "No need to get personal."

Stefan stared at Jeremy, knowing something was wrong. After a moment, Jeremy cracked and said "it's… it's Bonnie."

"What is it?" Stefan asked. "Hey, you got something on your mind, spit it out."

"If Bonnie takes on Klaus, channelling all that energy's going to kill her," Jeremy admitted.

"Wait, what?" Brea asked shocked.

"She didn't want the twins to know because they'd try to stop her. And it's Brea and Elena that could turn up dead, so… what am I supposed to do?"

"Stefan?" Brea asked.

"On it," he said walking off. "I've got it handled Jer, don't worry."

"Jer," Brea whispered. He turned and Brea saw tears in his eyes and she pulled him in for a hug. "You shouldn't have to deal with this Jer. None of us should."

"I'm sorry Brea," he whispered. "I don't want any of you to die. And now I feel like I have to choose you and Elena or Bonnie."

"I'm sorry Jer. You shouldn't have this burden," she said pulling back. "You want to go home?" she asked.

Jeremy nodded. "Let me just grab something from my locker."

She nodded and they walked around the corner to find her ex-boyfriend Chad standing in the middle of the corridor. "Chad?" Brea asked, but he ignored her. As she and Jeremy walked further into the corridor, two more teenage boys came to stand beside Chad.

"What's going on, guys?" Jeremy asked.

"You okay, Gilbert?" Chad asked Jeremy. "You don't look so good."

"What the hell, Chad?" Brea growled.

"Dude, seriously? Wrong day, wrong guy," Jeremy rolled his eyes and tried to walk on, but Chad grabbed his jacket and shoved Jeremy. Jeremy shoved him back and stuck his arm out in front of Brea, pushing her backwards. One of the other boys then grabbed Jeremy while another punched him across the face.

"Jeremy!" Brea screamed. "Chad do something!" Chad then walked forward and punched Jeremy across the face. "Not that!" Brea screamed. Jeremy was then thrown on the ground and the boys started kicking him. "Stop it!" Brea yelled jumping on the back of one of the boys who was kicking her brother. He just shrugged her off and she fell onto the ground as they continued kicking Jeremy. "Stop!" she yelled again.

"Hey, idiots," Damon called out as he ran up the corridor with Stefan. One boy then pulled a crossbow out from behind him and shot Damon with a wooden stake. Damon groaned in pain and Chad and the other boy then also pulled out crossbows. "Let me guess. Klaus says hi," Damon groaned. Stefan then ran at Chad and his friend, knocking them out before they could fire their stakes. Damon ripped the stake out of his chest and held it above the boy who shot him.

"No! No! No!" Stefan said quickly. "Don't kill him. He's compelled."

"So?"

"So the whole thing's a distraction. Go find Bonnie and Elena. I got this. Go," Stefan ordered. Damon nodded and threw the guy he was holding into the lockers, knocking him out. Stefan knelt down next to Brea. "You ok?" he asked and she nodded, rubbing her head from when she hit it falling. "Jer?" he asked moving closer.

All Jeremy could do was groan in pain. "Yeah," he eventually got out.

"You have to go find Elena and Bonnie," Brea said. "I got him." Stefan nodded and ran out of the corridor. "Do you think you can stand?" Brea asked Jeremy. "Because you're heavy, I can't carry you."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm good," he groaned sitting up. "I'm glad you dumped him. Let's go," he said slowly standing.

"Can you get to the car by yourself?" Brea asked. "I'm going to go tell Ric, we're going. See if I can see Elena."

"Yeah, ok, meet you there," Jeremy agreed walking off.

"Brea," a voice mumbled from the ground and Brea looked to see Chad waking up.

"Go to hell!" Brea snapped storming off.

"Brea! Brea," he said getting up and chasing after her, "Brea, I'm so so sorry. I don't know what came over me."

"Safe it Chad. Just don't."

"Wait, Brea," Chad said grabbing her arm and stopping her, just after they re-entered the gym.

"There's Ric, I have to go Chad, let me go," she said spotting Ric standing close by, she locked eyes with him but he didn't come to her.

"Here," Chad said holding out a flask.

"I drove," Brea frowned.

"It's not alcohol," he smiled.

"Well then what are you keeping in a flask," she glared.

"Don't laugh," he said but she just stared at him. "Ok. Cola. I just wanted to look cool in front of Dana. So here, have some. I know it's your favourite."

Brea frowned but took the flask from him and drank some. "Oh you're right, it is coke," she said handing it back. "Thanks, I… woah," she said stumbling slightly, hit by a dizzy spell.

"You're ok," Alaric's voice said in her ear and she stumbled again and he caught her.

"What's happening?" she asked panicked.

"Just a trip down memory lane," he answered as her vision finally turned to black.

Mystical Falls, 984 A.D

" What are you doing?" Brenna spoke behind a blonde man in the woods. The man jumped in fright spinning around, his eyes wide. "I'm sorry, I did not mean to frighten you… are you painting?"

"Um, yes, I am," he answered timidly. "Do I know you?"

" No, I don't think so. My family and I just joined this village. It's a very sweet place," she said kneeling down to get a look at the painting on the piece of tree bark. "It's very good, your painting. Is it the river that flows through the village?" she asked and the man nodded. "Are you Niklaus? Son of Mikael?" she asked and he nodded again. "I believe your darling sister, Rebekah came to greet my family earlier. I wasn't home at the time, but my mother seems quite taken by her."

Niklaus snorted, obviously comfortable talking about his sister. "She's like a trap. Pay her any attention, she'll never let you go. Obsessive that one. What is your name?"

" I'm Brenna," she smiled.

"What brings you to our village Brenna?"

" My sister just lost her husband in battle. We thought a fresh start would do her some good."

"Here," he smiled as he leant over and painted her name on the tree.

Brenna laughed, "I think we're going to be fast friends Niklaus."

England, 1492

Brenna and Katerina were giggling in the corner of the grand hall of a lord's home. "What are you ladies giggling about over here?" Trevor asked as he approached them.

" Oh, Trevor," Brenna giggled. "My darling sister here said something positively barbaric," she said, leaning into Katerina as the girls began giggling again.

Something seemed to have caught Trevor's eye across the hall so he smiled at the girls and said "excuse me," before walking off.

As Brenna and Katerina giggled again, Brenna caught sight of a familiar head of long blonde hair and was transfixed. "Excuse me, sister, I'll be back," she said slowly making her way across the hall. As she got close to the woman whose hair she was captivated by, she disappeared. Brenna snapped out of her trance with a huff before making her way back to her sister.

" Niklaus is the name my father gave me. Please, call me Klaus," she heard a man say to her sister. The voice caused her to freeze in her place right behind the man.

" Nik?" she asked from behind the man and she moved her eyes to look at the man standing wide-eyed next to her sister and asked. "Elijah?" Nik slowly turned around to face her, eyes wide and mouth open.

" Brenna," he breathed and his face quickly broke out into a smile that Brenna quickly matched.

" Pardon me," Katerina asked. "But how do you know each other?"

" We met before the party," Brenna covered. "When I went off to look at the library."

" They're the hosts, sister," Katerina smiled nervously. "You should use Lord."

" Lord," Brenna asked tilting her head and Nik shrugged.

" Leave us, would you Elijah," Nik said.

" Of course brother," he nodded. "I hope to see you both later on in the evening, Brenna, Katerina."

" Most certainly," Brenna agreed as he walked off. "Well, Lord Nik, how did you end up with such an extravagant abode?"

" Inheritance," he lied. "Passed down to my siblings and me from a distant uncle."

" Siblings?" Brenna asked straightening up.

" Yes, Elijah, myself and my sister Rebekah."

" Oh," Brenna said slouching down.

" May I be so bold as to ask you both a question?" Nik asked the girls.

" That would depend on the question, my Lord," Katerina flirted causing Brenna to roll her eyes.

" Well, I find you both to be very lovely, in all manners of the word. So, so long as your father wouldn't mind, it'd be my joy and honour to take you both riding through the town tomorrow, if you would choose to accept."

" Our father is not in town, unfortunately," Katerina announced. "We are here under the care of Trevor, an acquaintance of your brother, the Lord Elijah's. But I'm sure he would not mind us venturing out with you."

Brenna giggled. "My sister and I would be honoured to accept your offer, Nik. We are both very much in dire need of a tour of this lovely town, you call home…" she trailed off as a familiar mop of brown hair stumbled into the hall, arms draped around two different women. "Kol?" she whispered from the other side of the room and his head immediately snapped up to meet her gaze, his arms fell from the women and he took a step forward, eyes locked with hers. Brenna broke the stare to look at the two women he'd been holding just before, who were now pulling at his arms. Brenna's stare quickly turned to one mixed with disappointment and disgust. "My Lord," she said to Nik. "Would you be so kind as to accompany my sister and me to your library? It is quite the collection and I'm sure she is eager to see it."

" I really would love to see it," Katerina giggled.

" Of course," Nik answered with a wide smile before gesturing his arm for the girls to step forward. "Right this way." As Brenna walked past him, she did not fail to notice the smug smirk Nik was shooting to the other end of the room.

Brea shot up in bed with a loud gasp and the bedroom door was immediately thrown open with Katherine running in. "Katerina, Katerina, ne moga da disham. Ne moga da disham, Katerina." (Katerina, Katerina, I can't breathe. I can't breathe, Katerina.) "Kak moga da znam bŭlgarski? Katerina, kakvo stava?" (How do I know Bulgarian? Katerina, what's happening?) Brea said panting.

"Hey, hey, hey," Katherine said tugging Brea's hands out of her hair and holding them in her hands. "You need to calm down and you need to breathe. Shh," Katherine said stroking Brea's hair. "Breathe for me, ok."

Brea slowed down her breathing to a relatively normal pace. "What's happening to me?" she cried,

"You're remembering things," Katherine said pulling her into a hug. "Usually it's slow and it helps the process. Klaus gave you a potion, drug, whatever, that his witch made. It overrode the spell Elijah's witch placed on you, so they're all coming back too quickly."

"Nik?"

"Yeah," Katherine stuttered.

"No, no, no, no, no," Brea said panicking again as her breathing began racing. "No!"

"Relax, relax. You're friends. He'd never hurt you, Brenna. You're safe."

"He didn't hurt me," Brea stuttered and Katherine nodded in understanding.

"We have to go out there, I can hear him calling us," Katherine said helping Brea off the bed and supporting her weight as they left the room.

"Ric?" Brea asked confused.

"Hm," Ric sighed turning around. "Good morning sleepy head. I'll give you one hint. I'm not Ric."

"Nik," Brea scowled. "Oh my god. You drugged me you asshole. You're an asshole for a lot more reasons than that. But what the hell!"

"Name one other reason," Nik challenged.

"Well, how's this. The last time I saw you, you daggered my husband right in front of me, you've spent half a century chasing my twin in an attempt to murder her and now you've come to town to murder my new twin. I think that fits the definition of an asshole. Woah, I'm talking with an accent," Brea realised.

"That's not an accent love, that's your real voice. What you were talking with before was an accent," Nik said as a man walked out of Ric's spare room. "Coffee Katerina," he ordered before walking with the man to the door.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," the man said.

"Yes, do hurry. I'm anxious to get out of this body," Nik said letting him out of the apartment. "And if you get hung up, call me. You know how impatient I get," he said closing the door.

"You know how impatient I get," Brea mocked in a high-pitched voice flopping down onto the couch. Brea looked up to see Nik glaring at her. "Sorry," she said with an eye roll. "Who was he?"

"The witch that made the potion that brought your memories back," Nik said walking towards Katherine.

"Where is he going?" Katherine asked holding out the coffee mug to Nik.

"To retrieve me," Nik answered taking the coffee. "So I can get out of this bad hairdo."

"It's a good hairdo," Brea defended from the couch. Both Nik and Katherine turned to her confused. "I put Ric onto that barber," Brea shrugged. "He cuts Jeremy's hair."

Katherine huffed ignoring Brea and turned to Nik. "Are you sure that's a good idea, Klaus?"

"Well, the full moon is almost upon us. I've killed the witch, I have the moonstone and the doppelgänger is waiting in the wings. I am ready to break this curse."

"And why would you do that here? There are so many people that would try to stop you."

"Because I have to. It's the birthplace of the doppelganger," Nik said flicking his eyes over to Brenna who stiffened up at the mention of Tatia.

"Didn't realise that was a requirement."

"How could you? You betrayed me and fled England before I could give you the details, Katerina. But I did find your birthplace and I slaughtered your family," Nik taunted her pushing back her hair and pulling down on her ear.

"Shut up," Brea growled from the couch.

"Let's just hope that Elena isn't as stupid as you were," Nik says moving on.

"She won't run," Katherine sighed. "She'll die before she lets anyone that she loves get hurt."

"And that's exactly what I'm counting on," Nik said. "You can't leave until I tell you to, keep Brenna entertained and here until I get back," Nik compelled Katherine before walking out.

As soon as Nik left Brea stood up fuming. "How dare he. She's not going to die. I won't let happen. Katerina…" Brea hesitated. "What did he mean when he said he killed the witch?"

"Bonnie's dead," Katherine said softly and Brea collapsed to the floor crying.

"Where's my phone?" Brea asked after she calmed down.

"On the bench, but I've been compelled to not let you touch it."

"Great. Question. I slept in Ric's bed last night, so where did Ric's body sleep?"

"On the couch, don't worry. I slept in there with you. He didn't want you to wake up alone."

"He's an ass," Brea snapped.

"Brea…"

"No! I'm mad I have to go!"

"Your wish is my command," Nik said coming into the apartment, making Brea jump back a bit and his face dropped. "Let's go," he gestured to the door.

"No."

"I wasn't asking sweetheart. I was meant to meet your aunt at the Grill but she cancelled. So we're going to surprise her at your house."

"No, you are not! You're not going anywhere near, Jenna! That's final."

"It's so cute that you think you have a choice," he cooed. "Think of it this way. If you're there I won't hurt her. If you're not…" he said and Brea's face fell.

"Fine," Brea snapped pushing past him and hurrying down the stairs to the car.

"Where's the fire, love? We're not in a hurry."

"Shut up," Brea snapped as she got in the car.

"Why so angry?" Nik asked as he started the car. "I would've thought you'd be thanking me after I removed the spell."

"Oh yes, I'm so thankful and appreciative," Brea said sarcastically. "Thanks for flooding my mind with a millennium's worth of painful memories, all no doubt for your own gain."

"Is it really so hard to believe I did it because I care about you?"

"Yes."

Brea was tapping the dining table as Nik and Jenna were awkwardly making small talk when there was a knock at the door and Jenna went to go open it. "Cheer up love. You're bringing down the mood," Nik teased and Brea glared.

"No, listen I can explain," Brea heard a familiar voice say and she saw Nik smirk as he approached the entryway.

"Hi Stefan," Nik greeted. "How's it going?"

"Stefan," Brea said from behind Nik.

"Brea? I thought you were at Matt's. That's what you texted Elena," he asked looking between Brea and Nik worriedly.

"I did?" Brea asked confused realising Nik must've texted it. "Yeah I did," she said with a small smile at Jenna.

"Well," Nik said clapping his hands, "I best get back to cooking lunch," he said turning around, gesturing to Brea to go ahead. "You don't have to put on your American accent for her you know," he whispered in her ear. "If she loves you, she'll accept you even with your memories."

"Don't touch me," Brea growled moving away from him as he walked further into the kitchen.

Stefan ran up to Brea. "Are you okay?" he asked. "Did he take you from the dance?"

Brea nodded. "Katerina was there. She's alive."

"Your voice," Stefan noted.

"Bugger, I'm sorry. I'm struggling to cover it up. I'm trying for Jenna."

"What's going on?"

"He drugged me, last night."

"He what?" Stefan hissed.

"It was some magical potion thing. I have memories back Stefan. I'm me again."

"You know, I find chopping calming," Nik spoke up interrupting their conversation.

"How positively creepy," Brea hissed.

"Feel of the blade in the hand, maybe," he shrugged and Stefan moved forward to stand closer to Jenna.

"I'm still waiting for someone to tell me what the hell's going on," Jenna said confused.

"Well, would you like to tell her, Stefan, or should I?" he asked.

"Tell me what?" Jenna asked and Brea slowly edged her way to her aunt's side.

"Do you believe in vampires, Jenna?" Nik asked. "No?" he laughed. "Well, who does right? But, believe it or not, they do have a place in our history. And, as a history teacher, I find them fascinating," he said watching Stefan.

"Why are we talking about this?" Jenna asked.

"Well, you've been angry with me for keeping secrets and this is one of my secrets. I'm obsessed with vampires. There, I said it."

"Are you joking?" Jenna asked confused.

"Not at all. How about you, Stefan? Are you a fan of vampires?"

"In literature. Bram Stoker? It's dense but I appreciated it."

"How about you Brenna?"

"Bram Stoker's Dracula is a hell of a book," she huffed.

"You've read Dracula?" Jenna whispered.

"Of course I have. A couple of times actually," Brea said and Jenna rose her eyebrows.

"Did you know that vampires are the oldest creatures of the night?" Ric asked.

"What about werewolves?" Brea asked with a smirk.

"Except for werewolves, of course," Nik said with a smile.

"Werewolves?" Jenna asked irritated. "Werewolves," she huffed walking toward the table, "now I know you're joking."

"You know, I've read that there's an Aztec curse on both species… that keeps werewolves slaves to the moon, and vampires bound by the sun. They say these creatures would do anything to have this curse broken. And they wouldn't care who they had to kill to do it," Nik said sparing a glance at Brea, whose face dropped.

The four of them were sitting down and eating lunch. Jenna was at one end of the table and Brea was sitting as close to her as possible. "I know this all sounds crazy," Nik spoke up interrupting the silence. "But vampires are real." Brea looked at Jenna and saw her very tense, ready to explode at any second. "Would you care for some more wine?" Nik asked her standing up.

Jenna threw her fork down. "Get out."

"Excuse me?" Nik asked.

"You heard her, she said leave," Brea repeated quickly.

"I don't know what it is you're trying to do, or why you're saying this but…"

"Jenna…"

"I said, get out!"

Stefan stood up. "You heard her."

Brea placed a hand on Jenna's arm, slowly standing up, she could tell by the look on Nik's face, what was about to happen.

"I'm afraid I don't want to."

"It wasn't a request," Brea warned.

Jenna jumped up. "Fine, we'll go," she said grabbing Brea's hand.

"You're not going anywhere," Nik said snatching up and knife and raising it at Jenna.

Brea moved in front of her aunt despite Jenna's attempts to pull her back, but she refused to move. Nik had lowered the knife. Stefan zoomed forward and grabbed Nik, slamming him against the wall, causing him to drop the knife completely. Stefan caught it and held it against Nik's throat. "Stefan?" Jenna asked confused.

"Brea, get Jenna out of here now," Stefan asked.

"Come on Jenna," Brea said tugging on her aunt's arm.

"You can't kill me, Stefan." Nik scoffed.

"Watch me!"

"Stefan!" Jenna yelled running forward as he pressed the knife further into Nik's neck.

"I may not have a witch protecting me today but if you kill this body, what's to stop me from choosing Jenna as my next one?"

"Jenna, go," Stefan said again and Brea tugged on her aunt's arm harder.

"Jenna, please, we have to go," Brea begged.

"But, Stefan…" she started confused.

"I said, go!" Stefan yelled turning to show Jenna his vampire face. Jenna froze for a moment in shock and Brea tugged her aunt hard enough that she was able to move her out of the house.

"What's happening? What's happening?" Jenna asked panicked out the front of the house.

"It's ok, Jenna. Stefan!" Brea said when he came out of the house.

"He's unconscious it's fine."

"Where's Elena? We need Elena."

"She's with Elijah."

"Elijah? Give me your phone. He took mine," Brea demanded and Brea dialled Elena.

"Stefan?" Elena answered.

"It's Brea, Elena, we need you."

" What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, I couldn't stop him. He went after Jenna."

"No."

"Elena, we need to tell her. You need to tell her. We'll come and get you."

" No, no, no, I… ok, I'll be right there."

"Elena, I need to see Elijah. Where are you? I'll come to him."

" The Lockwood's. I'm on my way."

"Thanks, Lena," she said hanging up and handing the phone back to Stefan. "Jenna, I'm so sorry. I have to go. Stefan's going to take you back to his place, you'll be safe. Elena will explain everything when you get there," Brea said running toward her car and speeding off.

"Elijah!" Brea called spotting him strolling around the property. As soon as she saw him she froze. He turned around and caught her eye and she smiled and then ran toward him pulling him into a big hug sniffling. "I'm so sorry."

"What for?" he asked holding her head.

"Not pulling the dagger out."

Elijah pulled her backwards. "Your accent…"

"I remember," Brea said with a giggle. "Everything. I know why you did it. Took my memories away. And it's all because of him. Because of Nik."

"If you don't mind me asking, how did you get your memories back? It was a complex spell."

"Nik. He had one of his witches make up a potion. Tricked me into drinking it. I passed out and woke up this morning with all my memories back. He has Katerina. If we leave her there, he'll kill her eventually."

"I know. I won't leave her there. I promise. I'll get her out before he kills her. I promise you this," he said placing a hand on her cheek and she nodded. "Let's get you inside, you don't have a jacket."

1130, Spain

" Are you sure your brother won't mind us staying here? It is his home." Brenna asked.

"Well my darling wife, he won't ever know," he smirked kissing her. "He, Elijah and Rebekah are currently running from father so they won't be coming here. And father won't bother us, because well, he's not hunting us, he's hunting Nik. So we have this place all to ourselves," he smirked spinning her around as she giggled.

" Can you believe it?"

" What?"

" That it's taken this long for us to be wed? We've waited so long for this," she smiled.

" I would wait any amount of time without complaining. I love you."

" And I love you."

"Welcome back," Elijah greeted as Elena returned.

"Is she ok?" Brea asked and Elena nodded.

"Has he filled you in?" Elena asked.

"I have my memories back, so I'm pretty sure I know everything now."

"You do? How?"

"Nik - Klaus, gave me some witchy potion last night and kidnapped me," Brea shrugged and Elena's eyes widened. "I'm fine now, though."

Elena nodded and then turned to Elijah. "Tell me. What is Klaus' curse?"

"Please," Elijah gestured for Elena to sit down.

"Our family was quite close," Elijah said. "But Klaus and my father did not get on too well," he said and Brea snorted. Understatement of the year. "When we became vampires, we discovered the truth. Klaus was not my father's son. My mother had been unfaithful many years before. This was her darkest secret. Klaus was from a different bloodline. Of course, when my father discovered this, he hunted down and killed my mother's lover and his entire family. Not realising, of course, that he was igniting a war between species that rages until this day."

"A war between the species?" Elena asked.

"The vampires and the werewolves."

"So Klaus' real father was from a werewolf bloodline?" Elena asked. "What does that make Klaus? A werewolf? Or a vampire?"

"He's both," Elijah answered. "A hybrid would be deadlier than any werewolf or vampire. Nature would not stand for such an imbalance of power. Therefore the witches, the servants of nature, saw to it that my brother's werewolf side would become dormant."

"That's the curse Klaus wants to break?" Elena asked shocked.

"He wants to trigger that part of him that's a werewolf. If allowed, Klaus would sire his own bloodline. He'd build his own race, endangering not just vampires but everyone."

"But you helped him," Elena asked confused.

"I helped him because I loved him. That's changed now. He must die."

"We have the dagger. We can stop him."

"It won't work," Brea sighed.

"When a werewolf is wounded by silver, it heals," Elijah explained. "And originals can't be killed by anything but white oak ash on a silver dagger, so you see the conundrum? The dagger does not work." Elijah said and Brea kept her face impassive, she didn't want Elena to find out about the existence of white oak stakes. That was the families biggest secret.

"What are you saying? Klaus can't be killed?" Elena asked.

"There's one way to kill any supernatural species. At the hands of the servants of nature themselves."

"A witch," Elena realised. "If they can channel that much power. But it would kill them."

"The curse must be broken during the full moon when Klaus is in transition. That's when he'll be at his most vulnerable. A witch with enough power can kill Klaus."

"What if I told you that I knew a witch that could channel that much power?" Elena asked and Brea frowned.

"Then I would tell you there's one more thing that you should know, I spoke with some witches, when Klaus was preparing Katerina for the sacrifice. They found a way they believed would spare the doppelganger."

"You found a way to save the life of the doppelgänger?" Brea asked she'd never heard this.

"Yes, Brenna. I did. Unfortunately, you and Katerina took matters into your own hands first. I believe you already know how that played out, Elena," he said handing the twins their jackets.

"You cared about her didn't you?" Elena asked.

"It's a common mistake, I'm told."

"It wasn't back then," Brea smiled slightly.

Elijah smiled back. "It's a mistake I won't make again."

They arrived back at the boarding house after spending the entire car ride discussing how Bonnie was still alive and heard a smash as they walked in, the twins looked at each other and ran to the parlour room. "Stop!" Elena yelled as she saw them fighting.

"My books!" Brea yelled as she saw one bookcase worth of books lying on the floor. "Ok, who did it!" she said running over to the books and picking them up.

"Now you invited him in?" Damon snarled.

"Elijah and I renewed the terms of our deal," Elena answered.

"Really?" Damon remarked.

"The two of you will come to no harm at my hands," Elijah responded. "I only ask for one thing in return."

"What?" Damon snarled.

"An apology."

"A what?"

Stefan stepped forward, "I'm sorry for the part that I played in your death. I was protecting Elena. I will always protect Elena."

"I understand," Elijah accepted and everyone turned to Damon.

"The sacrifice is going to happen, Damon," Elena said. "Bonnie will kill Klaus without hurting herself and Elijah knows how to save my life. I told you I'd find another way. And I did."

"Is that true?" Damon asked.

"It is," Elijah answered.

"And you're trusting him?"

"I am."

"You can all go to hell," Damon snarled walking away, handing Brenna a book from the floor on his way out.

"He's angry with me right now," Stefan explained. "But he'll come around."

"Perhaps," Elijah sighed.

1492

" You can't do it, Niklaus," Brenna heard Kol say behind a closed door as she walked down the corridor.

" I can do whatever I like brother, you hardly get a say in the matter. Why don't you run back off to your little girlfriend and leave me alone," Nik snarled.

Brenna went to walk away, but froze when she heard Kol say, "she won't survive you killing her sister, Nik! You'll break her. Katerina is her best friend. If you kill her for the sacrifice you'll destroy her. I may not like it, but I know you care for her too. You can't do this to her!"

" Yes, I may care about Brenna, but nothing is more important to me than this. It's just her sister. Not her. I wouldn't kill her, you know that. I would never hurt her."

" And what do you think sacrificing her sister on an altar of flames will do brother?"

" Mind your own business Kol. I've left you two alone this time, I can just as soon start causing issues again."

" Oh enough with the threats. You know how important family is. Don't take away hers."

" I've had enough of this conversation, Kol. It will happen. We'll take her to where we were born and the sacrifice will be done then. You will keep Brenna here, and she won't ever need to know."

" I will not lie to her."

Brenna lifted her hand to her cheek to find it covered in tears, as quietly as she could she snuck off and ran directly to hers and Katerina's chambers. "Katerina! Katerina! We're leaving!" Brenna snarled.

" What?" Katerina asked as she stopped brushing her hair.

"We have to go. Now." Brea said pulling her sister's arm.

"What, no, why? I like it here. I don't wish to leave."

" They're going to kill you!"

" What?"

" I just heard Niklaus discussing it. I know all about it, I just didn't know you would be involved. He wants to sacrifice you in a blood ritual to break a curse!"

" I… I don't want to die."

" Trevor, we need to find Trevor. He'll help us," Brenna said as she and Katerina ran out of the room.

" Ah, Brenna," Kol called from behind them causing Brenna to yelp in a panic and spin around, holding Katerina behind her.

"Kol!"

" Are you alright?"

" Perfectly alright," Brenna said hurriedly. "Anyway, we must be off. Urgent business to attend," Brenna said taking Katerina's hand and running away.

" But it's dark!" Kol called after them, but they kept on moving.

" Trevor!" Brenna called as she spotted him by the stables, and she and Katerina ran toward him. "We need your help."

" What is wrong? Katerina? Are you alright?"

" The Lord Niklaus plans on sacrificing me," Katerina said upset and Trevor looked down.

" You knew," Brenna surmised.

"I apologise. When I brought you here, my feelings were not quite so developed. I will not allow this to happen."

" Then you must help us flee, Trevor," Katerina begged, taking his hands in between hers.

"Alright. Run through the woods. East. You'll find a cottage. Ask for Rose, tell her who you are, she'll help you."

" Just like that?" Brenna asked.

Katerina then spoke up. "I stole this from him," she said holding up the moonstone. "We could sell it and buy our refuge?"

" That's part of the sacrifice," Trevor said shocked. "Show it to Rose. It'll prove to her you are who you say you are. She'll help you to freedom." As he said this the twins heard a smash from inside the Mikaelson manner and jumped. "They have noticed you are missing," Trevor said. "Go run! Both of you! I'll lead them astray as long as I can. Go!"

Chapter Text

EDITED OCT22

"No!" Brea yelped sitting up in bed.

Just as soon as she yelled, hands were on her arm as Elijah asked. "Are you alright Brenna?"

"Elijah?" Brea asked jumping slightly in shock.

"I apologize for the intrusion," he said removing his hands.

"Did you just get here?" Brea asked breathing heavily.

"I've been here all night, I'm sorry."

"Why?"

"Your memories are back. I figured whilst some are good, the bad ones may be quite traumatic. What were you dreaming about?"

"Escaping with Katerina," Brea said looking down.

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Have you had any other dreams tonight?"

Brea smiled and looked up at him. "I had a dream about the winter of 1657."

"Oh did you now?" Elijah asked with a smirk.

"One afternoon, in particular, I suppose you can guess the one."

"Indeed I can Brenna," Elijah smiled.

"That year was probably the most fun I've ever had. I remember seeing Nik slip and slide down the hill on the snow," Brea giggled. "And you were laughing so much that you lost your balance and followed him down not long after. The almighty Nik and the proper Elijah sliding down a hill is a memory worth a million dollars."

"Hey," Jenna said as Brea entered her room.

"Hey Jenna, how are you?" Brea said talking in an American accent.

"You don't have to do that you know," Jenna smiled. "Talk in an accent. Elena told me everything," she said taking Brea's hand.

"And you're ok with it?" Brea asked, eyebrows raised.

"Oh god no, I just think I'm in a permanent state of shock now," Jenna smiled widely at her niece pulling her in for a hug. "It's so overwhelming, and I can't really understand any of it. But what I do know, is that you're my niece. And I love you no matter what. A one thousand-year-old Viking, or a 17-year-old pain-in-my-ass American. It doesn't matter. Because I love you. And you're kind of my best friend," Jenna said with a laugh.

Brea laughed and moved away from her aunt. "I love you too Jenna," she smiled as they made their way downstairs where they saw the front door being opened. Once the pair saw who it was behind the door, they panicked and gasped.

"NO!" Brea yelled, quickly removing her shoe and throwing it at Ric's head.

"Get out! Get out!" Jenna yelled pushing Brea behind her.

"Jenna, Jenna," Ric pleaded.

"Get out!" Jenna yelled again as she lunged to pick up a nearby crossbow.

"Jenna, put the crossbow down, okay? It's me," Ric pleaded.

"Get out bitch!" Brea yelled from behind her aunt.

"Stay away from us," Jenna ordered as Stefan, Elena and Damon came up the corridor.

"What's going on?" Elena asked.

"It's me, Elena, I swear, okay," Ric said again. "He let me go. Klaus let me go."

"Prove it," Damon said.

"Okay. Uh, the first night you and I spent together, Brea pushed Jeremy into the room right when I was…"

"Okay, it's him!" Jenna said quickly, cutting him off before he could reveal the rest of the story.

"Why did he let you go?" Stefan asked.

"He wanted me to deliver a message. Sacrifice happens tonight," he said sending a feeling of dread through everyone in the room.

"Hello?" Brea said answering her phone after it began to ring. "What? Oh my god! Yes, yes, I'm on my way," she said hanging up. "I have to go, Carol, she's in the hospital, I'll be back in an hour," Brea said running out of the house.

"Carol Lockwood's room," Brea said at the front desk.

"Just down the hall," the nurse gestured.

"Carol," Brea asked as she entered the room.

"Brea, sweetie," Carol said quietly.

"Hey, Carol," Brea said moving closer to grab her hand.

"Did you see Tyler?" Carol asked.

"What?" Brea asked standing up straight.

"Tyler, he just left. Didn't he call you?"

"No, Sheriff Forbes did. Tyler was here?"

"Yes, he must be on his way to see you now."

Brea started to breathe heavily. "I'll be back Carol," Brea said as she took off running. As she entered the parking lot she yelled out "Tyler! Ty! Tyler!"

"Matt! Matt!," Brea called as she ran into the Grill. "Matt are you ok?" she asked as she realized she'd caught him staring at Damon.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Are you? You're shaking."

"It's important Matt, have you seen Tyler?"

"Tyler, no, he left Brea. Remember?"

"I know, but his mom had a fall and Tyler he came back, Carol told me he was in town and that he'd just left her room. I need to talk to him, it's urgent. If you've seen him tell me."

"I haven't, Brea, I'm sorry. I haven't seen Caroline either though, so if he's in town I bet I know where she is," he scowled.

"I'll try her," Brea said pulling out her phone and calling Caroline. "Nothing! Matthew! What are you staring at?" she asked again turning to find him again glaring at Damon. But she also took note of who was standing next to Damon, staring at her from across the room. "I have to go," she stuttered, running out of the Grill to her car.

Just as she got her keys out a voice called from directly behind her. "Leaving so soon love."

"Get away from me," Brea snarled spinning around.

"As you wish," he said holding his hands up and taking a step back. Brea turned back around and grasped the handle of her car, but Klaus placed a hand over the top. "Not so fast." Brea scowled and spun around, holding her elbow up so she collected his nose. "Bloody hell Brenna!" he growled as he held his nose.

"Let me leave," Brea spat.

"I just wanted to chat, love. That's all," he scowled impatiently.

"I don't want to, so too bad."

"A thank you would be nice," Klaus smirked.

"Thank you! Dream on."

"I gave you your memories back, your life."

"What! You're the reason my memories were taken in the first place. Elijah didn't trust you with me, especially with Kol not around. You've come into town and now you're trying to take my twin sister, my best friend away from me. Not for the first time either. So just leave me the hell alone," she said getting in the car and leaving as her phone rang. "Jer?" she answered.

"Brea, what the hell is happening?" he asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Ric just told me that Damon gave Elena his blood!"

"What! What how!"

"I don't know, Ric only just called and told us."

"That means…"

"Elijah's potion won't work."

"I have to go to Elena, it's dark, he'll come for her soon," Brea said hanging up as she drove for the boarding house.

As Brea pulled up, she saw Stefan and Elena kiss goodbye as Klaus watched. Brea got out of the car and started running towards them as Elena slowly edged her way away from Stefan, but, before she could blink, she felt herself being picked up and rushed away. Once she stopped moving, she opened her eyes and saw Elena standing in front of her, she made to move towards her twin but was stopped by Klaus' arm, which was around her waist, holding her to him. "Relax love," he whispered into her hair as she struggled to reach her sister. "Smart move, my dear," he said to Elena.

"You didn't give me much of a choice," Elena scowled. "Now let her go, she's not part of the deal."

"Well, I know that. I'm simply sending her somewhere she will be safe. With her other sister, Katerina. She'll keep her safe while the ritual is taking place, saving the lovely Brenna here, the heartache and the danger of trying to stop me again," he said as he ran a hand down her hair. "Greta," he called and she came out from behind a tree. "Take Elena, I'm taking Brenna," he said and Greta marched forward and grabbed Elena's arm and started dragging her away from her sister.

"Elena! Elena!" Brea screamed as she lost sight of her sister. Once she could no longer hear her sister's calls she slumped against Nik in despair.

"Time to go, love," he whispered before whisking her off.

"Where's Maddox?" Klaus asked as he barged into Ric's apartment. "He should be back by now," he said releasing Brea's arm. "Keep her here," he said pointing to Katherine.

"I don't know," Katherine responded, barely able to make eye contact with Brea. "What are you doing?" Katherine asked as Klaus opened up a laptop. When she received no response she asked, "where's Elena?"

"I sent her off with Greta," Klaus mumbled before screaming came out of his computer, Brea edged forward to try to see what was on his screen but Katherine held out an arm stopping her. "It's almost time," he said as the front door flung open. Katherine put both her arms around Brea and shielded her. "I wasn't aware you'd been invited in," Klaus sighed as Katherine spun around to see Damon standing in the middle of the room.

"I've come to tell you to postpone the ritual," Damon said.

"Didn't we already have this conversation," Klaus sighed.

"Yeah but that was before I rescued your werewolf and vampire and killed your witch," Damon said and Brea took a sharp intake of breath and moved past Katherine.

Klaus stood up quickly from his chair and turned to face Damon. "Excuse me?"

"And you can kill me for it. I don't care," Damon taunted. "It was all me."

"Damon," Brea said shocked.

"Katerina, give us a moment," Klaus said calmly. Katherine nodded, grabbed Brea's elbow and slowly dragged her into another room. When Katherine closed the door, Brea plastered the side of her face to it, trying to hear. "I've heard about you," she heard Nik taunt. "The crazy, impulsive vampire. In love with his brother's girl. I knew one of you would try to stop me, it was just a 50/50 guess on who," he said before laughing slightly. "The nice thing about werewolves, is they tend to travel in packs," he said before Brea heard the screaming on his computer get louder.

"Jules," Damon sighed.

"When you spend a thousand years trying to break a curse… you learn a thing or two. The first rule: always have a backup. Backup werewolf, backup witch…"

"Backup vampire," Damon sighed.

"I've got that covered too," Klaus snarled. Brea then heard a bang and she and Katherine ran out to find Damon on the floor and Klaus standing over him.

"What the hell!" Brea yelled. "How many more people do you want to rip from my life!"

"Relax love, I can't use him anyway."

"Why not?" Katherine asked.

"He's as good as dead anyway. His blood is impure"

"What so now you're threatening my friends as well as killing my family!" Brea yelled. "I hate you!"

"It's time for the ritual," Nik said before storming out and slamming the door behind him. Katherine then turned and ran to the fridge, grabbing a blood bag before leaning over Damon pouring it into his mouth, and slapping his cheek. "Hey, Damon. Damon!" Katherine said waking him up.

"What the hell happened?"

"He's gone, he's gone to do the ritual. I'm sorry. I had to. He would've known that I was on vervain if I didn't do it," Katherine said quickly and Brea looked at her confused.

"What did you do?" Brea asked.

"Do what?" Damon also asked.

"Klaus, he made me call her to lure her out after he got home earlier. He needed another vampire as a backup."

"Who did you call?" Damon asked as Brea turned to stare at her sister, knowing she wasn't going to like the name that came out of her mouth. Katherine didn't want to answer and Damon's face darkened as he grabbed Katherine's arm. "Who did you call Katherine?"

"Jenna," Katherine said looking down. Brea's entire world shattered and she couldn't breathe.

"He should've used me," Damon said hauling himself up off the ground as Brea stood frozen. "Why didn't he use me?"

"He couldn't," Katherine said. "Damon, he said you were as good as dead."

"What's that even mean?" Damon asked as he moved to Brea, placing his hands on her cheeks as he looked over her frozen form.

"What does it mean? What is this Damon?" Katherine said grabbing Damon's arm.

"Werewolf bite," Damon said and it all became too much for Brea and her world went dark.

"So that's what a werewolf bite looks like?" Katherine asked Damon as she held a cold compress to her sister's forehead.

"Yep," Damon confirmed as all three stared at his arm.

"It's not that bad," Katherine shrugged.

"It will be," Damon muttered.

"So that's it?" Katherine asked. "You're just going to die?"

"Well, that depends. You know anything about a cure?" Damon asked and Katherine shook her head sadly. "Me neither."

Damon moved to get his jacket and Katherine spun to face him. "145 years and no last goodbye?" she asked.

"You don't get a goodbye," he snarked before turning to leave.

"Don't," Katherine said running in front of him. "Don't leave mad."

"Us ending up on good terms is not exactly on my bucket list, Katherine."

"Klaus made me call Jenna to lure her out. There was nothing that I could do. I didn't have a choice."

"That's why I gave you the vervain. So you had a choice."

"It was her or me. I chose her," Katherine said quietly, hoping Brea wouldn't hear.

"I helped you, you owed me. When Klaus dies, you're going to walk out without a scratch and Elena and Brenna's aunt dies. Somehow you're the only one that wins. How'd that happen?"

"I didn't let love get in the way," she said sadly.

"Enjoy an eternity alone, Katherine," he said before turning to Brea with soft eyes. "You coming?"

Brea nodded and stood up. "No, no," Katherine said firmly. "Klaus said she can't leave."

"I'm not staying here," Brea growled. "Not with you," she said walking towards Damon.

"But…" Katherine started. "What are you going to do?" she asked Damon.

"I'm going to offer myself as a replacement for Klaus."

"He won't take you. He saw your bite, he said that your blood is impure. I'm sorry Damon." Katherine glanced at Brea before quickly saying. "Jenna's dead, there's nothing you can do about it," as she looked at the floor so she wouldn't have to watch the tears stream down her sister's face.

"Here," Damon said as he helped Brea to the couch at the boarding house. "I'm calling Stefan, just sit tight alright? I'll get you a drink," he said as Brea managed a small nod of acknowledgment. "Here," he said coming back with a glass of whiskey. "Drink this, it'll help," Brea took it and drank the whole drink. "Easy. Easy. Not so quick."

"Get me another, please," Brea said giving the empty glass back.

"Ok," Damon said quietly taking the glass just as a knock on the door went. "I'll go see who it is and then I'll be back," he said walking off.

After he'd been gone a minute Brea got up to see where he went. "Brea and Elena haven't returned any of my calls for days. I need to see them," a familiar voice said and Brea quickened her pace.

"Well you're a day late and a daughter short, John," Damon said.

"What are you talking about?"