A/N: Hello everyone. I know its been awhile but I'm really trying to get better about updating the story.
So I know this chapter isn't super long but I hope it holds you over until the new one!
xoAmanda

August 15, 2008

"You either need to tone it back, or you won't get a choice." I don't really tone it back, or change my attitude either. Not entirely.

"I'm not doing well without you, Dean." I whisper to him, not daring to turn my head because I know what I will see in his eyes. "I'm being reckless, dangerous, I'm going to get myself killed or Sam."

"I'm so sorry I'm not with you, Lena." Dean murmurs as he takes a sip of his drink. Instead of placing it down he swirls the caramel liquid in his glass then looks at me.

I know he is worried, "I'm just glad you're here now."

He sets down his glass and turns to face me, "I had to pull a lot of strings to reach out to you. It probably won't be able to happen again."

"I know, I honestly don't know how you managed it this time but I'm not going to complain. Should I tell Sam?"

"I wouldn't. You know how he can be, hope and all." Dean picks up his glass again, lifts it to his lips and finishes the drink. "I don't need him thinking that just because I reached out to you that I have found a way out of here."

"I still have hope, Dean." I tell him and outstretch my hand to his cheek. I stroke it gently with my thumb. "I'm never going to give up on you. I lov…"

"I know baby, me too." Dean grabs my hand and kisses my fingers lightly.

With a start, I wake from my sleep in the chair of the motel, my heart is beating out of my chest as I run my fingers through my hair to try and collect myself. Sam looks up from his laptop long enough to give me a 'what the hell' look before returning to the keys. Dean was right about one thing, I can't tell Sam. And as long as I can't tell Sam – I need to be alone.

August 18, 2008

I had to tell Sam I needed some time alone, he protested just like I thought he would but in the end he let me have my way. Typical Winchesters. He let me take Baby but only if I promised to keep her how Dean would've. Like I'd have it any other way. Promising to keep in touch, texts here and there just to make sure we were both still alive, I drove until I reached the opposite coast, California. Being alone actually seemed to be helping me take the edge off - or that's what I'm telling myself anyway. The ache in my chest has dulled since I got to see Dean, it's probably the booze but I'll take what I can get.

September 2, 2008

The moment I turn off the Impala and step onto the sun stricken pavement, the salt from the ocean hits my nose like a wave, no pun intended. Being in California has its upsides, the people watching being the best one, besides the alcohol of course. All the guys in flip flops and flat brimmed hats worn backward and women who think that a string bikini counts as actual clothing. But somehow in the middle of it all someone manages to stand out; the person I was looking for all along. Without letting Sam in on what I was doing when we were still together I had reached out to Bobby and asked him for some information, he delivered it, or so I hoped. I found a guy who deals in anything and everything, which is exactly what I needed right now. Making my way across the crowd of people I slide myself into the empty chair next to the guy. He looks at me inquisitively, rightfully so considering I'm a stranger to him and I just sat down beside him.

"You must be Travis." I purr at him softly.

He raises an eyebrow at me calling him by his name, "Depends on who's asking."

"I'm asking. I hear you deal with things in the realm of the supernatural."

"It's a possibility, like I said. Depends who's asking."

Leaning toward him I grab the front of his shirt and pull him directly in front of my face which causes his eyes to bug out of his head at the sharp gesture. "I already told you, I'm asking and that's all you need to know." I tell him, the previously sweet tone gone from my voice.

Travis raises his hands in a small, 'I give up' kind of way. "Alright, fine. What can I do for you?"

I release his shirt and push him back lightly. "I need a way to communicate with someone in hell. Can you do that or not."

"I think I might have just what you're looking for."

September 6, 2008

Being back in Mystic Falls feels like a dream, like I never even really lived here. I feel like my life really began when I met Dean and Sam, it feels so strange being here without them but I have something I need to do.

I call Jeremy and tell him I am in town but he is with Alaric working on something. He can't make it to see me. It's nice to hear his voice though - as much as I don't belong here, I miss my brother. Ending the call alters my destination back to the real reason I'm in town.

Knock knock knock.

I slip my hands into the pockets of my leather jacket. The crisp September air was a colder than I had remembered from the years past. The glass on the door let me see a tuft of brown hair bobbing toward the door, my anxiety heightened causing my hands to dig a little bit deeper into my pockets. The lock disengages and the door swings inward leaving me face to face with the person who brought me back from hell just a few short months ago.

"Elena!" Bonnie exclaims in surprise. Reaching out toward me I take a step forward making it easier for her to pull me into the hug I know she so desperately wants.

"Hey Bon." One good thing about being pulled into this hug was that I didn't have to fake a smile to her face, yet.

She pulls back from the embrace and I plaster my smile onto my face.

"How are you? Why are you here? Where is Sam?" the questions bombarded me.

"I'm alright I suppose. Sam is on a hunt."

"That didn't answer the why you're here."

Absentmindedly, I comb my fingers through my hair. I've noticed that lately I've been doing that increasingly when I get anxious. "I need your help." I confessed to my magically inclined friend.

Bonnie crossed her arms over her chest, "Help with what?"

"You brought me back from Hell. I need you to get Dean too."

"Elena, I told you before, I can't do that."

"Why? Because your dead Grams said so?"

My words came out harsher than I intended them to but once they were out there, I couldn't take them back. It was like I literally slapped Bonnie across the face. She jerks away from me, the look of pure devastation on her face said it all.

"No, because he belongs there." She spat back at me.

My heart sank at her words.

He belongs there.

Bonnie's face softens instantly and she covers her mouth with her hands. "Elena I'm sorry that's not how I meant it- I just meant that—he just made his deal – oh god I'm so sorry."

I raise my hands up to stop her from continuing on, I know what she meant, but it didn't make it any easier to hear. Dean didn't belong there any more than I did and he wasn't going to stay there.

"If you can't help me get Dean out of Hell, there is something else you can help me with. I need some ingredients from this." I reach into the pocket of my jacket and pull out the paper Travis had given me with everything I needed handing it to my friend. "And I need them today..."