It was the middle of the night and the oldest Salvatore brother was awoken by the faint sound of running water. He wasn't such a light sleeper normally. However, the past few weeks had him on edge. He got up gently, as to not wake Elena, and pursued the sound, which led him to the kitchen. The source of the water was only Bonnie helping herself to a glass. Damon didn't make a sound as he strolled in behind her, but the floorboards creaked, startling the already tense witch.

Bonnie grabbed a knife from the counter and turned to strike. when she saw Damon with his hands in the air, she quickly dropped the blade, retreating to catch her breath.

"Easy, killer. I just came down for a midnight snack."

Bonnie ignored his snarky comment and wrapped her arms around him. He was taken aback, but slowly pulled her closer when he realized she was crying.

"Hey, it's okay. It's me." Damon whispered comfortingly.

"I'm sorry. I'm just not used to having...people around…" pulling away and wiping her tears.

Damon understood now. Bonnie was standing in front of him, but a part of her was still stuck in the prison world.

"You're not alone here, Bonnie." he took her hand comfortingly. "Do you want me to sit with you for awhile?"

"No, it's okay. I'll be fine." She looked down at their hands before pulling away. "I'm just going to sit by the fire for a bit."

"If you need me."

Bonnie just nodded and took her water into the other room.

The following day was the start of spring break at Whitmore. The dorms were deserted, except for a few stragglers. This was the perfect opportunity for Caroline to grab a quick snack without having to compel a room full of spectators. She listened carefully and when she heard a door shut down the hall she hurried out. She smiled to herself when she saw a girl struggling to carry all of her bags.

"Do you need some help with those?" she asked sweetly.

"That would be amazing actually. If you could just-"

Out of no where Stefan appeared between the two girls. "You can handle carrying a few bags by yourself." he spoke clearly and the girl disappeared down the hall.

"What the hell, Stefan? She was my lunch." Caroline pouted crossing her arms.

"That is enough, Caroline. This game is over."

"Well, I'm not done playing yet."

"Yes, you are. We're going home. Now." He grabbed her arm and pulled her to the stairs.

"Let go of me." she was stronger than Stefan from all of the human blood and freed herself easily.

Stefan went for her again, but she was quicker still. In one motion she eluded his grasp and countered, shoving him over the railing of the stairs. Dissatisfied, she broke off a piece of the wood and tossed it in his direction, knowing he wouldn't be harmed. At vamp speed, Caroline was in the lobby and retrieving her crossbow, rising to aim it straight at his chest.

"Do it." Stefan was defeated, and she could tell. Caroline didn't speak, she just kept the weapon steady. "Pull the trigger. Prove to me that I have lost you Caroline. Show me who you really are." he was egging her on, secretly hoping she wouldn't do it.

She gave a quick smile, and in the blink of an eye, she vanished.

"So, your mom is stuck in a prison world then?" Elena asked as Damon and Bonnie filled her in.

"Yea, Bonnie saw my mom," Damon explained.

"Is there a way to see her again or, or help her somehow?" Elena panned between them.

Damon spoke up. "Well, Kai was able to send us back to 1994, I don't see why he couldn't just do it for us again."

"But, Damon I couldn't see you. I couldn't feel you." Bonnie reminded them.

"Yes, but Jeremy opened the garage door. If the connection is strong enough, I think we can physically be there." Damon said.

"That's great. With Kai and Bonnie we should have enough power right?" Elena asked.

Bonnie froze, the mention of the prison worlds again triggered her anxiety. "Um, excuse me." she sped off upstairs without another word.

"Let me check on her." Damon didn't give Elena a chance to protest. He was right behind Bonnie within seconds.

"If you don't want to do this, all you have to do is say so."

"She's your mom, Damon." she turned.

"I saw the look on your face when Elena mentioned going there. You've been through enough, Bonnie. I understand if you need a break from all of this."

"My best friend just lost her mom. I'm not going to be the reason you don't get to see yours."