A Twisted Always and Forever

Final Goodbyes

Disclaimer: I do not own the originals or any of the story lines that follow the show directly. I only own Grace.

As soon as the horrific words felling from her twins lips Grace felt a enormous wave of pain crash into her relentlessly as her mouth popped open, tears lining her chocolate-brown orbs, in more of a morbid shock than really anything else. "Bonnie's dead." The words came again and the pain never lessened, each time those words came the same wave of pain would hit her, this time making her fall to her knees.

"She's dead, Grace." Elena said again, almost as if she was trying to believe the words herself, trying to work out what was real and what was some terrifying nightmare. The little brunette almost dropped the phone from her hand, but she just clutched it tighter, it was real, she knew that, the pain was most certainly real.

Sniffling she heard her twin carrying on saying. "We're having a memorial for her. Jeremy planned it all, he's been talking to her on the Other Side." This surprised the smaller twin greatly, if he had known why hadn't he told the rest of them, or was she so far out of the loop now that Elena was just telling her out of common curtsy, that made the pain grow in her chest. "Can you come?"

"Oh." Grace whimpered out suddenly, it was the only word she managed to form in her mouth as a single tear travelled down her cheek, the pain that was throbbing in her chest was now travelling up to her throat and squeezing it, like someone had their hands around her throat and was straggling the life out of her. "Elena..." She managed before going on to say in a rough voice. "I... I don't know if that's a good idea. Not after everything that's happened-"

Of course she was referring to her split with Damon, she couldn't just go waltzing back into town after everything, he had told her he wanted her to be happy, but she didn't want to cause him any extra, unnecessary pain that would add to that. She felt a hole from the loss of him, but she had Klaus as a distraction, although Grace did wonder how he was getting on, if he had moved on and so forth.

"Please." Her twins voice was filled with a tight beg making Grace suck in a breath trying to stifle her sobs. "Please, I need you there. I need you there for support, Grace. We all do. This is so hard on us." Then she paused for a moment, she could hear the light breathing on the other end of the phone. "I don't know if I can make it through another funeral." She was just outright begging shamelessly.

Grace blinked a couple of times before replying. "Okay."

"Get a flight back here and call me when you land, okay?" Elena said and her twin actually nodded as if she could see her, but still the rich-brown haired vampire went on to say. "We can meet up in the Grill. I'll see if I can get them to postpone the funeral until then, okay?" She kept saying, planning breathlessly.

"Okay, Elena. Okay." She whispered back, after exchanging a few more details with each other the little vampire hung up and dropped her phone to the wooden floor with a loud clutter which sounded as if it was a million miles away. The pain consumed her fully and she was final able to dissolve into breathless sobs, pressing her face to the couch to try and sniffle the sounds of her hard sobs.

How could she let it get this bad? How could she not know what was going on in Mystic Falls? One message from Bonnie, she had one message from Bonnie on her phone and that was it and it wasn't even about anything important. The entire summer she had been so consumed by love and lust that she had lost all sight of her life before Klaus and that only made the pain greater.

When the hybrid finally returned home from where he had been out helping the very-human Camille forget the pain of her brothers untimely passing he wandered tiredly up the stairs and along the corridor to his room. He had a million things racing through his mind, but when he pushed the door to the master bedroom open he was surprised to see an open suitcase thrown on the bed.

Terror rushed through his chest as he stepped into the room, the closest was open and he could hear a shuffling coming from the inside. "Grace?" He called in a soft voice as he stuck his head around the corner to see the back of his girlfriend as she knelt on the floor looking through some of her shoes. "What's going on?"

The little brunette didn't respond she could continued to search through her heels for something that was clearly more important than talking with her boyfriend. "Love, what are you looking for? What's going on?" He placed his warm hand on her small shoulder as she flinched looking up at him.

He was surprised to see the swollen, puffiness of her chocolate-brown orbs, the wetness of her cheeks where unwanted tears and swam down them, her skin was almost paler than before and this sent him into turmoil, whoever had hurt her would pay, what had sent her into this fit of tears and pain. He needed to know.

"Grace." He knelt down beside her taking her shoulders and looking directly into her eyes. "I need to know what's going on so I can fix this, okay? Tell me." He almost wanted to compel her, but he resisted, that wasn't the type of relationship that they were going to have. He was going to have to behave and be patient with her.

After a few moments of regaining her composure she answered. "Bonnie's dead. I don't think you can fix that." He could see the pain in her bloodshot eyes as she lowered her head, he frowned as he picked her up in his arms and moved her back into their room laying her on the bed, but she went to move as soon as he laid her flat. "No, I need to pack. I need to go."

This made a strike of fear go through him. "Go where, love? Mystic Falls?" He couldn't let her go back to that town, Damon was there, he didn't want to hand over and very vulnerable Grace to him to so that he could comfort her and she wouldn't say anything about it. "Do you think that's a good idea?" He was trying to hide the self-conscious tone to his voice.

"I need to mourn, Klaus." She looked up at him with tired red eyes and using a very monotone voice, this was just something that he would never understand about her, being 1000 years old not a lot bothered him anymore, he had got his emotions into check and he could process a death evening, but she seemed to want mourn and over-think everything, and that bothered him. "I thought you would understand. I need to be there."

"But do you really?" The hybrid questioned as he sat down beside her on the bed as she scanned her eyes over his face. "Bonnie is dead, Grace. And I know for a young vampire like you it's hard to process and think clearly, but there is nothing you can do to bring her back, so why bother going through the pain of going back to your old town and seeing all of your old friends."

She looked at him for a couple of moments, almost not believing the words were coming from his mouth, but she answered in a thick voice. "They're my family-"

"I'm your family." He growled back at her and she just nodded her head as she rose from the bed and began to fold her clothes neatly into her suitcase. "Grace, what's the sense in going back there and causing yourself all the unnecessary pain?" He watched her as she just shook her head gently almost as if she was saying something to herself, and that annoyed him further.

"I don't have the strength to fight you on this, Nik. I need you to support me. Like a boyfriend is supposed to do. Please, that's all I'm asking." She looked up at him through pleading chocolate-brown orbs and he sighed shaking his head, wandering over to him and cupped his face looking directly into his eyes and continued. "What are you scared of?"

"Scared?" The hybrid scoffed as he climbed up off the bed and walked straight past her. "I'm not scared of anything. I'm just concerned for you." She creased her eye brows watching him. "None of your so-called friends have been in touch with you since you've got here and now they just tell you that your friend is dead." He looked up into her eyes. "You're mourning, but there is no better place to do that in the world than New Orleans, I can help you threw this."

"Yeah, I know you can Klaus." She nodded her head in agreement, but then she continued in a sad tone. "And you can do that when I get back from saying my goodbyes to Bonnie." He looked up at her again, she was planning on leaving once again and he didn't like that. "This isn't about me and this definitely isn't about you. This is about her." The little vampires voice broke again as she moved away from him.

Now Klaus could see it, finally through all the jealousy he could see how much pain she was in, he understood, he didn't like it but it understood. She had moved away from him again and was folding her clothes a little neater whilst sniffling away her tears. "Okay." His voice was soft as she looked up at him suddenly. "I'll book you a flight."

It wasn't long until she was finished packing, she didn't pack for many days, but enough so that she had a fresh change and clothes and anything else she might need. The hybrid led her down the stairs towards foyer of their mansion holding her hand to comfort her, but she was still sniffling, letting tears trickle down her cheeks.

As soon as they reached the bottom he placed her duffle bag down by his feet and then turned to her, she was watching their shoes before he cupped her cheek and made her look up into his eyes, Klaus used his thumb to stroke away her tears and she relished his touch for she wouldn't have it for a couple of days.

"You call me as soon as you land." He ordered her in a soft tone that she rarely heard him use, only a couple of times had she really heard it. "And..." There was so many things he wanted to say to her, but couldn't find the words so he just looked at her. She watched as different emotions cross over his face. Pity, sadness, jealousy, so many.

"I will call you." She promised as she leaned up to press a passionate kiss to his lips. "I wish you could come with me." She wrapped her arms around his neck tight and hugged him with all she could muster. "But I'm not sure you'd be welcome." He chuckled at that as he hugged her back just as tight.

Suddenly the door opened, they both looked over Grace's shoulder to see his sister walking through the door, Rebekah glanced at him a little confused that they were stood there embracing in the foyer. "What the bloody hell is wrong with you?" She quizzed as she saw the puffy redness of the brunette's eyes.

Grace found herself unable to answer, so her boyfriend said. "Bonnie's dead." The blonde actually looked mournful as she announced that, she held no ill will towards the folks of Mystic Falls, they were only teenagers after all trying to learn how to survive that a mad world of supernatural creatures. "Grace is going back to say goodbye."

"I'm sorry for your loss." Rebekah told her sincerely as she reached out and clasped her shoulder comfortingly, a tiny smile pulled up over her friends lips, maybe for now they could put their differences apart and mourn together, just for now. "Whilst you're back there, would you tell Matt that I'm sorry..." Grace nodded. "Thank you."

Then the blonde wandered up the stairs on her own, Grace turned back to him and hugged him again, he muttered into her hair. "It'll be okay." He wasn't sure how he could promise that, but she felt as if it was, she nodded back trying to will herself not to cry, she couldn't, not know Bonnie's funeral was coming and that was going to be overly draining for her. "I love you." That made a tear trickle down her cheek being absorbed by his v-neck.

Grace hiccuped back. "I love you, too." He had his hands knotted into the ends of her hair before he pulled away at the sound of a horn outside. "That's my ride." She commented as she bent down to pick up her duffle bag, she looked up at him one more time, one more gaze of passion and love between them before she turned and wandered from the building on her own.

The hybrid sat down there on the bottom of the stairs just staring at the door, he was wishing she would walk back through and throw herself at him and tell him she didn't need to go back to Mystic Falls, not even for her friends funeral because she loved him too much and only wanted to be wherever he was, but he wasn't naïve enough to believe that would happen.

The plane ride from New Orleans wasn't long at all, but by the time she landed in Virginia she was absolutely drained. Grabbing her small luggage and throwing it over her shoulder she hoped into the first cab she found outside of the airport. Throwing money through the screen she told him to drive her to Mystic Falls.

He didn't seem impressed by the distance he had to travel, but looking at the couple of hundreds she had thrown his way he started the cab and began to drive, Grace glanced out the window as the state passed her by, it felt like it had been forever since she had last been here, but she was back now.

Slipping her phone out of her pocket she instantly dialled Klaus' number holding the devise to her ear, after two rings he picked up with a groggy greeting. "Sorry, did I wake you?" She questioned, it was rather late. "I just wanted to let you know I'm in Virginia, but I won't be in Mystic Falls for a while."

"Okay, love." His voice was soft and she smiled at that looking out of the window she was sat next to. "If you need me for anything, just call." Klaus told her. "I'll come there if you need me. I don't care if I'm not welcome." She giggled at that, it was good to hear her chipper again, but there was clear sleep in her voice. "Where are you going to sleep tonight?"

Grace thought for a moment. "I hadn't really thought about that... maybe I'll just hit a motel, or something." He made a noise from the back of his throat, he didn't want her staying in some sleazy motel by herself. "There is no where else I can go and I'm sure you're not gonna want me to go see Elena, considering where she's living now..."

"The Salvatore's." Klaus growled a little at the name, he did not want her under the same roof as her ex-boyfirend, then a thought occurred to him. "Why don't you just go to my mansion. It's uninhabited." He told her surely as she frowned a little, the place would be without any furniture, or heating, or electricity.

The little vampire answered. "That's a good idea, but... It's not abandoned, it's derelict. You haven't been there in months. There's gonna be no water, no heating, no bed to sleep on." Then she took a breath as she felt anger beginning to rise in her chest, she wasn't sure why she was getting to frustrated, maybe it was because he was being so selfish he would rather her freeze to death than go to the Salvatore's.

"Too bad I'm not there to wrap my arms around you and warm you up." His voice was cheeky which made her giggle a little rolling her eyes. "Can't you find another friends house? Perhaps your friend Matt." She frowned a little before telling him she would try. "Thank you, love." His voice was hoarse.

Grace giggled a little before replying. "Whatever." He chuckled at this before they said their goodbyes. Pushing her phone back into her pocket she leaned against the window feeling her eyes getting heavy and then sleep took over her.

A loud banging startled her back into consciousness, Grace sat upright in the uncomfortable chair she was sat in embarrassingly whipping away the drool from her chin with her sleeve before hearing a foreign voice tell her. "Eh! We are here. You get out of my taxi now." The driver ordered her.

Rubbing her eyes she grabbed her bag and climbed from the cab throwing it over her shoulder before noticing he had dropped her off in the centre of town. She was about to turn back to ask if he would drop her off at the Lockwood mansion, but he had already sped off down the street blaring loud music as he did.

Sighing she began to walk, good thing she had wore a pair of boots because she decided to head through the forest to cut off almost half the journey. Grace wasn't as scared to walk through there as she had been a couple of years ago, now she was a vampire and she could handle any kind of danger the forest had to throw at her. It was almost empowering not having to be afraid.

The little vampire could see the huge mansion in the distance, through all the trees and brush. She smiled gently at the picked up the pace wandering through the large iron hates and up the driveway towards the historical building. Suddenly she felt a spear of panic hit her, what if Klaus had been right and she wasn't welcome, what was she supposed to do then? Just walk away? Or stay.

Shaking away those thoughts of doubt she trudged up the steps until she was standing at the porch, reaching her hand forward she pressed it against the bell a single time hearing the chime cascade around the around, but heard no signs of stirring from inside, Matt was obviously a heavy sleeper. So once again she hit the bell, only repeatedly this time.

When she heard the pounding of heavy footsteps she couldn't help but find herself laughing quietly as he cursed the entire way down the stairs and only stopped when he got to the door, unlocking it and pulling it open. A look of almost terror crossed his face when he saw the other Gilbert twin stood there with a simple, yet tired smile on her face.

Finally the awkward silence between them broken. "Grace, what the hell are you doing here?" The part that hurt the most was that her friend sounded more angry to see her than he was shocked. Of course she knew that it was always going to be a possibility, not everyone was going to agree with the decisions she had made, probably no one would understand.

"Hey, Matty." Her voice was very innocent and small, and the smile on her face was wavering and weak. "Elena, uh, she called me and told me about... about Bon." Her chocolate-brown orbs filled with sadness as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I know that I've done some things that you guys don't agree with, but I need to be here. Bonnie was my friend too."

He pursed his lips for a moment, looking her up and down before answering. "So why are you here now, Grace? In the middle of the night? Waking me up after a shift at the Grill where I have to work to support myself? Why didn't you just go to Elena?" His tone was sharper than she expected it to be.

Rubbing the back of her neck she replied simply. "Well, I can't really go to Elena right now. She lives with... with Stefan and-" She couldn't even bring herself to say his name, no matter how understanding the other Salvatore brother had been it still killed her for what she did to him. She never wanted to hurt anybody.

"What you don't wanna see Damon again?" The moment he said her name she felt a cringe of pain flowing through her. "Don't you think it's a little strange to come back to Mystic Falls and not expect to see your ex?" His tone was a lot sharper than she expected it to be. "I really don't think it's a good idea you being here, Grace. I'm sorry, but Tyler really wouldn't like it." Her eyes flickered up to his face creasing her eye brows, there was a look of almost pity on his face which she hated.

Then Matt continued. "Do you even remember what Klaus did to Tyler? Or have you hit your head one too many times on Klaus' headboard that you've forgot." This flared up anger inside of her that he only thought that she was just some kind of toy for Klaus to play around with. "That dick killed Tyler's mom; the only living parents he had left. Then he tried to kill Ty and ran him out of town away from Caroline, also ruining her life, or have you conveniently forgot about that too?"

"I haven't forgotten." Her voice was shaky as she looked up at him, she was exhausted and now emotional. "I mourned Carol's loss, like everyone else did and I'm sorry that Klaus has done these things, but it wasn't my fault. You can't hold me responsible for something he did in a moment of anger." Matt narrowed his eyes.

There was an awkward moment of silence between them before the vampire finally spat back in an aggravated tone. "You know out of everyone I thought you would be the one who would understand?" This only made him confused. "Because I'm not the only one who has made certain life altering choices when it comes to the Mikaelson's." He pursed his lips. "Rebekah? Remember her."

"That was different-"

Grace scoffed loudly. "Why? Because she saved for life one time? What about when she ran you over a bridge to save her brother? Trying to kill you and actually killing Elena, remember that?" Her tone was as sharp as a knife. "Don't judge me for one thing when you've made practically the same choices, Matt."

Without a moment of hesitation he slammed the door shut and she growled angrily spinning around and zipping back off into the surrounding forest trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall. Yanking her phone out of her pocket she skimmed through her contact list looking at all the names, none of which she could turn to.

Trudging back into town she entered the little motel wandering up to the desk and paying for a nights stay, she didn't want to be in Mystic Falls long, that was what she decided. The elderly woman behind the desk gave her a warm smile before handing her a key, Grace took it and thanked her quietly before wandering up the stairs.

Unlocking the key to her room she looked inside, it was quaint, looked after, tidy. It could have used a lick of paint, but apart from that she didn't see a problem with it. Dropping her bag to the floor she ran her nimble fingers through her long tresses trying to hold back the tears that were relentlessly falling down her cheeks.

This town was one her home, she lived her practically all her life and the people they were like family to her and now none of it felt right, it all felt tainted and just sickening to be there. Grace almost wanted to go home already, real home, to Klaus, but she knew that she had to be here for Bonnie, she had to pay her respects then she would be out for good maybe.

After a shower she curled up under her her sheets and let the tears finally fall as she drifted off into a restless slumber, dreams kept haunting her of what Elena might say, what might happen if she saw Damon. Mostly she dreamt of what Matt had said to her, she remembered him as she such a nice even minded boy but now he had changed, or maybe she had.

The very next morning the little vampire was awoken by the sound of a light buzzing, opening her eyes the room was blacked up she a small flashing light caught her attention. Glancing over to her side she noticed that it was her phone that was waking her up this morning.

Grabbing it she looked at the caller idea before butterflies flooded her stomach and she pressed answer and held her phone to her ear as she continued to lay down in bed. "Hello, Niklaus." She purred out biting her bottom lip awaiting the sound of his rich British voice to spill down the phone.

"Hello, my love." She couldn't help the stupid grin that pulled across her face as she heard the words come from his mouth. "I hope that you're feeling better this morning. I do hate seeing you so upset." The smile fell from her face as she answered vaguely that she was fine, she hated being reminded of why she was there.

"I wish I could be there with you..." The little brunette sat up in her bed then and leaned back against the headboard. "I could think of many, many ways to make you feel so much better." She bit her bottom lip again. "But I think you already know that don't you, love." He purred out and she giggle.

The brunette was flushed when she told him. "Niklaus, you're terrible." She heard his chuckle then spill down the phone as she tried to get her breathing back to normal as she told him. "But I will be back in New Orleans very soon, so many you could show me those many, many ways that you can make me feel so much better." She teased him.

"Oh." The Original couldn't but grin to himself as he pulled on his shirt. "I will you naughty little minx." He paused for a moment. "But seriously my love, I am eagerly awaiting your return. It doesn't feel right without you hear by my side." Her heart sank then as she closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh. "I love you."

Her lower lip shook before she said. "I love you, too." With that they both hung up and she let her phone fall to the bed as she closed her eyes and tilted her head back trying to focus on the main reason that she was in Mystic Falls. She was going to get in and get out, that was all she had to think about.

Sitting in the centre of the bed the little brunette was busy preparing for the funeral holding a small hand mirror and straightening her long choppy tresses she heard her phone begin to vibrate again. Reaching to her side she half-expected to see Klaus' picture pop up on the screen but instead saw a picture of herself and Elena.

Pressing answer and putting it on speak she said. "Hey, 'Lena. How's it going?"

"I thought you were going to text me when you got into town. Why did you go to see Matt first? What's going on Grace?" She bombarded her with many questions that took her back.

Turning off her flat iron she placed it on the side and told her twin. "Whoa. Slow down, Elena." She frowned. "Look, I don't really wanna argue with you today, alright? Can we just meet up somewhere before and talk? It's been so long since I've seen you Elena." She heard the other Gilbert sigh on the other end of the line.

"Yes. Yeah, we can meet up. How about the Grill? An hour? We'll go there then heard to the..." The younger vampire gulped. "The funeral together." Grace was quick to agree then both of them said farewell and she continued to get ready for the day ahead of her, every now and then her stomach would clench with fear, but she couldn't figure out why.

The hour quickly passed and the smaller Gilbert was making her way to the Grill, it was amazing how easily she still navigated the town even though she hadn't been there for months. It was also amazing how much she truly missed seeing things she had took for granted before leaving.

Pushing open the door to the very busy Grill she scanned the room before she saw her sister waving her over. She was in shock Elena looked different, but it was a nice different. Her hair was no long the usual dead-straight she would have it, neither was it the rich brown but lighter with red highlights running through the fringe and styled with messy curls.

Stepping towards her Grace said. "Wow. Elena... your hair." The vampire grinned as she shrugged her shoulders before wrapping her arms tightly around her twin and both of them hugging for a long couple of seconds. "I've missed you." The brunette said as they embraced tighter before pulling away.

"I've missed you, too." Elena told her as both of them took a seat opposite each other. "How have you been? How's New Orleans? How's... Klaus?" She almost grit her teeth as she asked the question, but knew she would have to be on her best behaviour, that was the man whom Grace had chosen to spend her eternity with.

The smaller brunette nodded her head, she didn't want to worry her with what was happening back where she lived know, especially when she almost got killed by a witch. "I've been really good and New Orleans is so much fun, so many parties and alcohol..." They both giggled then before she added. "And Klaus... he's great... I really-" She cut herself off. "You probably don't wanna hear this."

Holding up her hands the taller Gilbert answered. "No, no. I mean, sure it's a little weird to hear you talking about... about him, but I just want to know that he's treating you right and that you're happy." Her twin couldn't help but blush and nod her head telling that she was very happy. "Well, he's 1000 years old, I'm sure he's got plenty of expertise on how to keep you happy, right?"

Both of them giggled loudly then before it died down and Grace looked up at her sister and asked. "How about you, Elena? How's college? And Stefan? You two must have had a great summer together, right?" She saw a sad look pull across her sisters face which only made her more concerned. "Elena... what's happened?"

With that the curly haired girl began to explain to her just some of the horrid things that had happened to them since she had left Mystic Falls to start her new life with the Original hybrid. She couldn't help but feel overly guilt that she had just left her family in this state, but almost resented them for not telling her.

Grace listened as her sister told her about Stefan being locked away in a safe for the entire summer without anyone them knowing, Silas pretending to be Stefan and him still roaming around somewhere and that there was a crazy witch named Qetsiyah and that she had been the one to take Stefan's memories.

"Oh... oh my God." The little vampire said looking up at her twin before asking. "Why did you tell me any of this was happening? I could have... I could have done something, Elena. Or at least have been there for you." Her chest was beginning to get tight with sadness as she watched her sister reach across the table to take her hand.

"There was nothing you could have done." Elena gazed directly into the brunettes eyes as tears gathered in them. "You were busy in New Orleans and I was busy trying to hold everything together here. I didn't even realise that my own boyfriend was missing for an entire summer, I was too busy trying to help-" She cut herself off then.

Grace asked. "Trying to help who, Elena?" She felt as if she already knew the answer. "Damon?" her voice broke as her sister slowly nodded her head to answer her question. "Oh..." A tear trickled down her face. "What's happened to him? Where is he? How is he doing?" Elena slipped her hand from her twins then and placed it in her own lap.

Not wanting to sugar coat it the taller Gilbert replied. "He's not great. He spends most of his time trying to drink himself into unconsciousness, he's pulled himself together for the Stefan's sake recently, but... but he's still broken." Grace felt a huge wave of guilt wash over her as she covered her face and took in a few slow breaths.

Looking up for a moment Grace asked. "Is he going to be at Bonnie funeral?" The girl in front of her nodded her head slowly before looking down at her phone muttering it was time for them to go. "Oh, uh, okay." She whispered before standing up and feeling wetness on her cheeks. "You know what, I'm just gonna go freshen up real quick."

Elena nodded her head and watched as she almost jogged across the bar into the restrooms of the Grill. Looking in the mirror at herself she felt nothing but disgust for what she had done to these people, her family, leaving them when they needed her the most, but... but breaking Damon's heart too was what really finished her off.

Drying away her newly fallen tears she sneered in the mirror at herself before exiting to see that her twin was waiting for her, with that they both headed for the funeral.

Both of the girl stepped straight past the cemetery and went deeper and deeper into the forest until they heard the soft murmuring of voice stepping past a thick brush they entered a small circle that contained all of their friends and a short stump with a bell sitting on top of it. They all looked back then and their conversation died down.

Stefan watched her with an almost confused look on his face, trying to place where he had seen her face before, with his recent memory loss he clearly didn't understand why they were all so surprised to see this brunette stood there beside Elena. Damon gave her one glance before looking away, it was too painful to look at her.

Caroline crossed her arms over her chest and pursed her lips, clearly she was just as angry as Matt to see the vampire back in town and Grace understood why they were mad and completely sympathised with them and didn't resent them for it.

"Uh, hi..." Grace felt overly awkward then as they all joined up with then, no one knew what to say so Jeremy stepped forward and put his arms around her pulling her into a loving hug. "Hey, Jer. It's good to see you, buddy. How are you?" She quizzed with a painful look in her eyes knowing that this much hurt so much more for Jeremy.

He nodded at her. "I'm fine. Really. I'm just really glad that you came." He looked around at the rest of them before saying. "Now that everyone is here I think we should get started." They all agreed as they all got in line, everyone had something that they wanted to give as a memory that they had all shared with Bonnie.

First Caroline stepped forward and place down the witches cheerleading pom-poms down on the stump thinking about all of the memories the both of them had at practice and at games just talking and having fun. She seemed those times, those simpler times before everything went to hell.

Next the only human stepped forwards next and placed a lifeguarding whistle on the stump also, he remembered some of the great times that they had shared with their summer of lifeguarding at the local pool. It had been before all the craziness and had been some of the only time they had spent alone together.

He went and stood beside Caroline placing his arm around her shoulder letting her lean on him as Elena stepped forward and scattered many fluffy white feathers over the stump also, remember the time that Bonnie had informed them that she was a witch and to prove it to them she ripped open a pillow and levitated the feathers. It had been such an eye-opening and truly awe-inspiring moments she would never forget it.

The little brunette wasn't sure if she was allowed to step forward, but when she looked at her little brother and he gave her a reassuring nod she stepped forward then. Slipping out a picture from her bag, the edges were singed edges. The picture had been one of the only things that was salvaged from her grandmothers burnt down home.

Looking at the picture she couldn't help the soft smile that pulled across her lips as she saw the younger versions of all the girls. It had been taken on their first day of freshman year, everything looked so much brighter and happier back then without any trouble or drama, or dangerous supernatural creatures.

Turning around she went to stand next to Elena again when she locked eyes with Damon, looking at him then she saw the pain that was written deep in his icy-blue orbs. It made her gasp slightly before she stepped over to be stood in between him and Elena.

Watching as the older Salvatore stepped forward and placed the final object on the tree stump, it was Bonnie's grimoire. That had helped them out of so many hard situations, the witch had helped them through so many hard situations, she had always been so kind and would always look out for others.

Jeremy had watched every single one of them place a memento of the witch on the stump he picked up the bell and began his speech. "We ring this bell in honour of Bonnie, in remembrance of her." With that he shook the bell a couple of times as they all nodded in agreement. "I'm not sure what else to say..."

The rest of them couldn't see but the ghost stepped forward and rested her cold, ghostly hand on his shoulder, he couldn't feel her but she could feel his warmth spreading through her finger tips. "Tell them all that I'm not going to leave them. I'm never going to leave them. Not one of them. I'll be with them; looking over them now and forever." Her lips turned up as she looked over her family thinking of how much she truly loved each one of them.

With that the Hunter repeated the words to them letting them know that the witch was there always looking over them. All of them seemed surprised to know that she was there with them and was unsure if it made them happy, or more sad. Knowing that she was there watching them enjoy living, when she was taken too soon.

With that the young witch began to wander over to stand in front of Grace. "I know that you've heard some things since you got back to Mystic Falls." Jeremy was telling her everything that Bonnie said. "But you've got to stop worrying about other people and what they think of you. For too long you've let other people make decisions for you and now you're happy, and I want you to stay happy."

The little brunette could already feel the tears growing in her eyes. "No one can stay mad forever... not even Caroline." The three of them laughed as Grace glanced over to the blonde who looked as if she was softening. "I've seen you in New Orleans, too. You looked happy, that is all I've ever wanted for you, Grace. And I know a lot of other people feel that way." Her eyes scanned over to Damon who was still looking away.

"Elena..." Bonnie moved onto the next Gilbert then standing in front of her with glistening eyes. "I know this has been a hard summer for you having to pick up the pieces, but you did such a good job of it. It's not your fault what happened to Stefan, it was no ones fault but Silas and Qetsiyah and if I could help you bring his memories back you know that I would in a heartbeat." Stefan placed his arm around his girlfriend's shoulders comfortingly.

With that the witch moved over to be stood in front of the only human with a sad smile pulling across her face. "Matt, I'm so sorry that you've felt out of the loop this whole summer, just know that I would have sent you 300 emails if I could. I really miss you." A tear trickled down her cheek as she saw him chuckle tearfully at her words.

The blonde vampire felt a shudder of nerves as she heard. "Caroline..." It was her turn now and she was actually scared of what her friend might say. "I watch your organise college and decorate that dorm room like your life depended on it." Both of them laughed then as tears travelled down each of their cheeks. "I know you've had a hard time too and college isn't everything you expected, but..."

Her words drifted away then as her eyes went behind her as the brush rustled to signal that someone was there, she was overly surprised to see the hybrid Tyler step out with a sullen look on his face. "Tyler." She breathed as they all looked around to see him stood there with a single white rose in hand.

Caroline's eyes brightened up as she rushed over to the person she had been missing so much, this was exactly what she needed right now. Colliding into him he held her so tight that she began to sob all over again. Both of them had missed each other so much and were just so happy to see one another.

After their small moment they both stepped towards the circle again and Tyler placed down the rose on the stump with the rest of the memorabilia. Damon looked between the group, each of them had someone to lean on, Elena was tucked under her boyfriends arm, Caroline was stood between Tyler and Matt all of them embracing and Jeremy had Bonnie.

His eyes went down to the little brunette stood beside him as she dried away her own tears, reaching out he slipped his hand into hers, she glanced up at him surprised by his actions but only squeezed his hand back and moved a little closer to him resting her forehead on his arm just letting herself cry.

Bonnie's eyes went between all of her friend as she said. "This is good." She smiled. "This is all I wanted. I'll be okay. We'll all be okay." With that she reached out and took his hand lovingly.

After the ceremony was long over the small group had decided it would be nice if they all headed to the Grill so that they could share a drink in honour of Bonnie. Still the group of divided, Caroline was sat with her hybrid and Matt with their own bottle of gin and just across from them sat Jeremy, Elena, Stefan and Grace. The older Salvatore had decided he wanted no part in it and was sat on his own at the bar.

Tapping his fingers rhythmically against the wooden table Stefan asked in a blunt tone. "So, uh, Grace what did you do that pissed off all these people?" Her mouth dropped open a little as his girlfriend hissed his name giving him a pointed look. "Sorry, I was just wondering what got everyone so mad..."

The little brunette let out a small laugh before shaking her head and replying. "No, it's fine, Stefan. You lost your memories, you don't remember what I did." Taking a deep breath she added simply. "I fell in love with someone else and some people didn't agree with that." A frown pulled across her face then. "I hurt a lot of people with one decision."

The older Salvatore rose from his bar stool pulling on his blazer then and wandering over to their table, his eyes remained on the little vampire the entire time as he asked. "Can we go somewhere and talk alone?" Grace seemed almost taken back by his question before she nodded her head and stood up also.

Both of them left the Grill just wandering aimlessly down the street heading for anywhere. "It's been a long day..."

"Yeah, it has." The little brunette agreed keeping her smouldering chocolate-brown eyes down on the pavement as they walked. "I'm really glad that I was able to see you whilst I was in town, Damon. How have you been?" Of course she already knew the answer to that, she could see it in his eyes, but she wanted to hear what he would say.

"Tip-top." He scoffed a little. "I was only madly in love with you for three years before you decided to leave me for that psycho. I gave you everything, Grace. You were the only good thing in my life-" He stopped her then turning her to face him taking her face between his hands. "You still love me, don't you. Just tell me that you do."

Her eyes flooded with sadness. "Damon... I... this isn't why-" Reaching up she took his hands removing them from where they were cupping her face and just saying. "I'm sorry." Tears sparkled in his eyes as he turned away from her. "I don't want to have this conversation with you again. It's too-"

"Pathetic? Pointless?"

She chose the word. "Upsetting." Biting her bottom lip she added. "You will always been the first love of my life; the first real love." He closed his eyes shaking his head trying to block out her words. "And there will always be a special place in my heart for you, but I've moved on now and you have to too."

Reaching out and taking his hand in her own she added. "Nothing will ever change the times we had together. The good ones, the bad ones, the human ones, the vampire ones. You watched me go from ordinary girl, to telepath, to vampire and you helped me through each stage and for that I will always love you." Tears ran down her cheeks then. "But you have to accept were over."

"You were the only good thing that I had. The only light in a place filled with so much darkness." He turned to face her with leaking icy-blue orbs. "Is he treating you right?" Was all he asked and she nodded her head. "Okay." Leaning forward she pressed a soothing kiss to his cheek as if a final goodbye.

Pulling away then she told him. "I'll leave tonight. I don't want to cause anymore trouble than I already have." He nodded his head, if he was honest he wanted her out of town as soon as possible. "Goodbye, Damon Salvatore."

"Goodbye, Grace Gilbert." His voice broke a little.

She went to turn around to leave but stopped herself, reaching around her throat she unclipped her necklace and slipped off the ring that he had given her at Christmas, it didn't feel right keeping it anymore. "Here." She held it out and dropped it into his hand. "Give it to someone who deserves it, Damon." He nodded once tucking away in his pocket.

The little brunette found herself back in her motel room packing away her things, tears still leaking down her cheeks unwontedly, she never thought it would hurt this much to come back and leave again, but there was one thing she knew she wasn't going to be able to come back again. It was too painful, for everyone.

There was a soft knock at the door, wandering over she pried it open to see her twin stood the other side with Jeremy right there with her. Opening it wider she smiled at them drying her tears and allowing them to enter as she continued to pack away all of her things again, Elena was giving her a hand this time.

Jeremy took a seat on the bed and played with the cotton bedsheets as he quizzed. "When do you think we're gonna see you again?" He almost knew the answer as she looked over to him with a sad smile. "People will get over it, Grace. It's just gonna take some time, it doesn't mean we can't see you ever again."

"I'm sorry, I just don't see how this is going to work." The little vampire looked between them with pain in her eyes. "Am I going to be able to bring Nik here for Thanksgiving? Or for Christmas? Are you guys going to ever be able to look past all the crappy things he's done to us?" They all remained quiet. "And I wouldn't want to put you in a situation that makes you uncomfortable. Ever."

"Grace..." Elena began as she turned to look at her sister before engulfing her into a tight hug stroking her soft hair before telling her. "We will always be your family and we will always love you, all of us." Pulling away she dried away her tears and said. "So we might not see each other all the time anymore, it doesn't change anything for us."

Jeremy stood up then and hugged them both making them giggle. "No, it doesn't. We'll take all the time on Skype and we'll email each other and everything will be fine. You two have gotta stop worrying. We're Gilbert's." They both giggled and agreed through their tearful eyes, it had been the first time in a long time that they felt like a real family.

After spending the rest of her evening just speaking with Elena and Jeremy she decided it would be for the best if she got back to New Orleans. Climbing in her cab she waved at her family as she was driven back to the airport. It took a couple of hours to get there but finally she reached it and boarded her plane.

It was once again only a short flight back to her home and when she landed, getting a cab back to the Mikaelson mansion she had never been more happy to see the vibrant colours and happy partying people pass her by yelling loudly and dancing excitedly. It actually made her smile, something that seemed foreign to her nowadays.

Pulling up outside of the house she leaned over and paid her taxi-driver before climbing out and grabbing her bag slinging it over her shoulder carelessly. Stepping up to the house she reached out and opened the door surprised to hear how calm and quiet it was, popping her head in the living room she saw Hayley watching TV stroking her swollen belly softly.

Looking up feeling a presence watching her she spotted the vampire stood in the archway and said "Hey! You're back." She stood up then waddling over to her and giving her a warm and welcoming smile. "Klaus has been pining over you since you left. It's a good thing you're back, I don't think he would have been able to cope another day without you."

"I'm glad to be back." Grace giggled as she tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear before asking. "Where is he?" The pregnant lady replied that he was upstairs in his art room, she wasn't sure what he was doing. "Okay, thanks, Hayley. We'll talk tomorrow, okay?" The wolf nodded before heading back to the couch.

Rushing upstairs without another thought she pushed the door open and entered his art gallery, it was just as she remembered it so beautiful filled with his amazing drawings and exquisite paintings. Running her fingers over one his drawings she heard footsteps from the other side of the room she glanced over her shoulder to see him stood there without a shirt.

A knowing smirk pulled across her pale lips she said. "Well, I don't mind being welcomed home like this..." His lips turned up also as he dried his wet hands on his jeans before wandering towards her. "You're being very quiet, Niklaus. It's making me a little nervous." She let a nervous giggle escape her lips.

He was stood right in front of her, so close he could feel her body heat vibrating against him before he reached out and grabbed her face and pulled her into a heavy kiss before he released her and said. "I've been wanting to do that since you left." She gazed up at him with a lazy smile on her lips. "How as it, darling? Were you okay?"

Grace wasn't sure that she wanted to get anyone in trouble, she most definitely didn't want to announce what Damon had said to her, or that she saw Tyler. That would just put him in a mood, so instead she told him. "It was really sad saying goodbye to Bonnie, but I feel that she at peace now, you know?"

The Original nodded his head before pecking her lips once more moving her back against the wooden table almost tipping some of his paints as he lifted her on top of it. "I'm glad that you're back. Don't leave again." He whispered against her throat nibbling his blunt teeth against her neck making her groan and roll her chest against his.

"I think you might be in luck because I don't think I'll be returning to Mystic Falls for a while now." His eyes went up to meet hers as she gave him a sad smile as he asked why that was. "Well, they are and will always be my family, but this is my life now. Here with you and I think that they are beginning to understand that."

Klaus smiled happily at her before replying. "Well, that is very mature of you, Ms. Gilbert." She couldn't help but giggle as he moved his lips back down to her throat as she mewled out spreading her hands out behind her on the table before she felt a paint brush roll into her hands, smiling sadistically she picked it up and swiped it over his cheek. Pulling away he looked at her for a moment before saying. "However, that was not."

The little vampire bit her bottom lip seductively throwing him a challenging look, he then grabbed another loose paintbrush and swept it along her collar bone leaving a trail of sky blue in it's wake making her giggle at the coarse bristles tickling against her sensitive throat.

Her fingers pushed into the pallet behind her spreading some forest green on her fingers before she rose her hand and smeared it against his bare chest and he growled before kissing her fiercely for a couple of moments before pulling back and growling in her ear. "Remember when could make you feel better in many, many ways." She nodded her head looking at him through lustful chocolate brown orbs. "I think I should get to work on that, don't you?"

"Oh, God. I love you." She growled before pulling him into a needing kiss.

A/N

Hello there!

First, I apologise that this took so long to get out, but I hope that you enjoy the chapter anyway. This was a heavily emotional chapter in a lot of ways and I felt it was nice to go back to Mystic Falls and have some more closure for Grace and Damon especially.

If you want to follow me on tumblr for story updates, previews and anything else I feel like posting then go over to queenelenaqilbert . tumblr . com (you know what to do, just take out the spaces)

Answers and responses below:

totalRandum: I'm glad that you're liking the story so far. Here's an update!

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Psycho17: I'm really glad that you're enjoying the story so far and I love your long reviews so much, they are so great to read. So thank you very much!

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