"You missed my heart-"Artemis hissed seeing red, she grabbed Conner's wrist in a crushing grip. Her fangs were out, blood dropped from her lips, she looked truly demonic. "This is yours-"she punched her fist through his chest plate and ripped Conner's heart out from his chest. His eyes were lifeless….he dropped dead.

Artemis gasped and abruptly sat up right, she looked around in panic and relaxed as much as she could realise that she was in her bed. She swallowed and turned over, trying to go back to sleep. It was pointless really, every time she closed her eyes she saw Conner's lifeless eyes. She groaned and rolled over again, a small whimper left her mouth. Conner's voice resonated in her mind; she remembered the startled cry when she tore his heart out. Oh god…she ripped his heart out with her bare hands.

Artemis moaned quietly, wishing that Damon had chosen to spend the night here instead. She pressed her flush face against the cool pillow and groaned her night had hardly been relaxing. Artemis groaned and sat up, her heightened hearing picked up the sound of Jeremy's light snoring; Elena had called her earlier that night saying she was going to be spending the night with Stefan. She pushed her face away from her face and she shook her head.

Conner's death had been playing on her mind. She swung her legs out of the bed; it was a mess of twisted sheets and quilts. She inhaled as she placed her feet on the cool wooden floor.

Artemis exited her bedroom, her eyes flew over to the bathroom door at the end of the corridor, and she spent the rest of the night avoiding it. She walked passed her younger brother's room, and popped her head in the door, she smiled seeing him sleeping soundlessly; he was obviously not plagued by nightmares. She gently closed the door and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

Artemis brushed her hair back and opted to make herself some warm milk, hopefully that would help her to sleep. She rummaged through the cupboard and grabbed a mug before pouring some milk into it. She put it in the microwave and anxiously tapped her fingers against the countertop.

She let out a quiet breath and yawned as she waited for the milk to warm up.

"Can't sleep?" Artemis gasped and jumped hearing that eerily familiar voice; she spun around and saw that no one was there. She jumped when there was a loud beep, and scolded herself, gosh she was jumpy tonight. The brunette's cheeks were flushed pink and she shook her head. She grabbed the warm mug of milk and shut the microwave door.

She gripped the mug and turned on her heel about to head up to bed but jumped in fright at who was casually leaning against the counter. It was Conner. Her grey eyes were wide in fright they were latched onto the gaping hole in his chest.

"You know-"he said softly forcing her eyes to seek out his. "It makes sense-"

"No-"Artemis muttered, this wasn't real, this wasn't real she chanted in her head.

"-a guilty conscious."

Artemis shook her head, "No, no you're not here…this is a dream-"she muttered desperately "I've-I'm dreaming.-"she took a hasty step back and her breath hitched when Conner took a step towards her.

"How do you know I'm not here?" the hunter taunted her.

"Because-"her voice shook, she was overwhelmed with guilt, terror and remorse "because-be-"she stammered, every time she took a step back he took one forward.

"Go on say it." He dared her.

Artemis's lips trembled "Because you're dead-"she whispered and closed her eyes. She killed him. She did…and she hated herself for it.

"Yes-"Conner smirked "I am-"Artemis looked at him in confusion, she didn't know what was going on. "Was this the first time you've ended a human life?" he canted his head to the side.

"I-"Artemis licked her lips "no you're not here-this-you're a ghost-"her voice shook "you're a ghost-"she believed, if that was true then Jeremy would be able to see him. The brunette believed this was her unconscious making this scene. "JEREMY?!" she shouted. "You're a ghost-I'm-you're haunting me-"

Conner grinned "Can a ghost do this?" before she could blink he had her in a choke hold, Artemis dropped the mug of milk making it shatter as it hit the floor. She let out a startled cry when she felt his muscle arm around her throat.

"NO-"Artemis shouted and slammed her elbow into his ribs. She spun around on the heel of her foot and grabbed his neck and tore into his throat. Causing him to shout out in pain, Artemis threw him away, she fumbled backwards when he got back up, she reached for the first thing which turned out to be a knife. Without a second thought Artemis plunged the blade into his neck and with a grunt pulled it out.

Her heart stopped "Oh my god-"instead of Conner she stabbed Jeremy. The youngest Gilbert choked and looked at her in shock before dropping to the ground.

"No-"Artemis cry out "oh my god-Jere-"his back was flushed against her chest. "No- Jere-"she bit into her wrist and pressed it against his lips, tears marred her face and she let out a sob when he wasn't swallowing her blood. "Please Jeremy drink-"she whispered. There was no heartbeat, causing the vampire to let out cry. "No please-"through her tears she spotted a gleaming object on his fingers. Artemis exhaled seeing the Gilbert ring on Jeremy's index finger. He was going to be ok. The elder teen buried her face into her brother's hair and cradled him.

Damon quickly made his way up to the driveway, he just exited the shower when he had gotten a phone call from a clearly upset Artemis, he had told Stefan that something was wrong at the Gilbert place, and knew his younger brother and Elena would be following behind shortly.

"Art-"he didn't bother knocking and just entered the house, he took in the scene and saw that Artemis was sitting on the couch, Jeremy's head was cradled in her lap, "Art-"he felt a pang of ache in his own heart when he saw that her eyes were red rimmed and she was pale, her hands were covered in dry blood as well as her lips and chin. Damon's eyes flew over to the currently dead Jeremy, he saw the blood stains.

"I-I killed him-"she choked out, Damon crouched down in front of her and cupped her face.

"Art-"she blinked instead of her boyfriend there, it was Conner. The older vampire was surprised when she jerked back and there was a flash of fear in her eyes. "Art?"

Artemis shook her head coming back to reality "He-I thought he was Conner so I attacked him." she confided, "I didn't mean to-"she sniffed, Damon pressed his lips together, he should've stayed the night he thought. He knew she'd be feeling remorseful, guilty…he knew she wasn't him, when it came to killing. She was Artemis, she cared for people, looked after them. Damon deduced one thing and that was this wasn't going to be easy.

"Hey come on Art—"before she stood up Artemis placed Jeremy's head on the pillow, and shook her head, the brunette started to pace wringing her hands, how on earth would she tell Jeremy? Let alone Elena….

"This is so messed up-what am I going to say to him?" Artemis asked nervously glancing back over to her brother.

"Thanks for not ditching the family ring even though it drove Ric mad" Damon said smarmily, the female shot him a look. "Sorry-"he uttered seeing the frantic look on her face, "Art just breath-"she wasn't listening.

Damon surprised her by blurring in front of her, he cupped her face. "Just stop and breathe." He ordered, his thumb ran across her temples, he could feel her relaxing in his hold. Damon propped his chin atop her head, he wasn't put off by the blood on her skin. "Just relax; Elena is going to be here soon Stefan is bringing her-"he frowned feeling her tensing up.

Artemis pulled back "You called Stefan? Why?"

"What's wrong?"

"He-there's something off with him." Artemis uttered "He-he compelled Jeremy to forget god knows what…"she blurted out. Damon swallowed he knew that for the time being they keeping the cure between themselves.

"Art in fairness you killing him—"he pointed to Jeremy's still form "kind of trumps that." Artemis shot him a scathing look.

"You don't think I know that?" she sniped; she was on edge…she felt…just so out of sorts at the moment. Artemis rubbed her arms and started to pace again. "Oh god-"just then Elena and Stefan burst through the doors.

"Oh my god Art what happened?" Elena spotted a very dead Jeremy on the couch, Stefan moved over to the new vampire but the brunette took a step back. She knew that he wouldn't hurt Elena, but she couldn't trust him right now. Artemis had a feeling that he was hiding something from her; otherwise there would've been no reason to compel Jeremy.

Artemis pressed her lips together "Can you explain?" she looked over to Damon, "I need to get the blood off of my hands." The brunette didn't wait for a reply and hastily made her way upstairs.

She shut the bedroom door and leant heavily against it, Artemis tuned out Damon's voice and looked down at her hands, and grimaced seeing the scarlet liquid. It made it more surreal…she had killed him, she thank god that he was wearing the ring, otherwise she wouldn't know what she'd do. Artemis grabbed her towel and robe before exiting the room, her lips thinned seeing Stefan standing in front of the bathroom door.

"Art-"

"Look I don't really want to talk-"she attempted to step around him but he blocked her path. Stefan let out a sigh, he had spent most of last night talking to Elena, and he knew he needed to tell his girlfriend the truth, but he was waiting for the right time. It wasn't helping the situation that Artemis was being distant with him. Since the moment he stepped into the house, she had blatantly ignored him.

"We need to talk-"

"No-"Artemis glowered at him "We don't we know you're working with Klaus…and Stefan-knowing you, you probably have a reason" her face softened, whenever the broody vampire did something questionable he always had a reason. "I-just don't hurt Elena."

"Art-"he tried to grab her arm but she batted his hand away.

"No please. I just really want to shower. This is Jeremy's blood…I stabbed him last night and I don't think I'm in the mood to listen." Artemis said in a hard tone, Stefan could see that the stubborn brunette wouldn't relent so he backed off.

"Ok." With that he stepped aside allowing her to pass. Stefan glanced worriedly over his shoulder when the bathroom door slammed shut, he couldn't help but be concern…especially after Damon had told him and Elena that Artemis thought Jeremy was Conner. He could sense that there was something more. For now though they had to keep an eye on her.

Artemis upturned her face and closed her eyes feeling the hot water pouring down her face; she had cleaned herself up and washed her hair. Now she was just taking a few moments to herself, the bathroom was filling up with steam.

Artemis sighed and opened her eyes, she brushed the droplets of water away from her face, but gasped when she saw blood smearing her hands, she stumbled back nearly slipping on the wet floor. She looked up at the shower head and saw the water was clear.

"What?" she breathed and swallowed, Artemis forced herself not to cry out when she saw blood mixing with the water. The brunette stumbled out of the shower and grabbed the towel, she yelped when she saw a hulking figure in the shower.

"No-"she snarled, she was going mad…it was just the guilt nothing more. God she wished she hadn't lost it and killed Conner, he was haunting her.

Artemis flew out of the bathroom and headed into her bedroom. That place was safe so far. She slammed the bedroom door shut and hastily locked it. "Just-it's all in my head…god I need to sleep." She muttered under her breath.

Artemis hastily rummaged through her dresser; she slipped on a pair of lacy cream panties and a matching bra. The brunette pulled on a pair of jeans and a top; she leant against her vanity mirror and set down the hairdryer.

"Art?" she heard her younger sister calling name.

"Come in-"Artemis yelled back, the door opened just as she dropped the hairbrush onto the floor, she cursed under her breath and picked it up. She stood up and smiled at Elena's reflected image, but gasped in horror when she blinked, and instead Conner was standing there.

The hunter smirked and stalked towards her, she watched as he swiped his finger across the marks she had left behind. "Do you want some?" he taunted her, Artemis felt terror creep into the pit of her stomach and stepped back only to hit the small of her back against the vanity table. "You seem to enjoy it when you drank from me-"

"No-"she squawked when he smothered his blood covered fingers her lips, she smacked his hand away. "Stop-I wasn't myself…"she cried out, "I'm sorry ok! I was just so angry-"

Her cheeks were flushed her eyes were laced with fear and terror. Artemis cringed when he took another step closer.

"Was you yourself when you ripped my heart out from my chest?" he snarled "Look at what you did-"

"No-"Artemis shook her head, "this isn't real, this isn't real-"

"LOOK!" he roared, her eyes dropped automatically to the hole in his chest, there was a gaping wound here his heart had resided.

Artemis's hands clenched into fists. "You threatened my family…and you staked me!" she countered, her nails cut into her palms

"Because you're a monster-"Conner sneered taking another step closer "you deserved to die, admit it"

"No-"Artemis snapped.

"Have some more of this-"instead of using his fingers he wiped the blood from his neck with the palm of his hand. And smeared it across her face, or so she thought

"GET AWAY." Artemis shrieked and shoved him away, she ran past a startled Elena, the doppelganger was stunned at her sister's reaction, she only wanted her older sister to smell the new perfume, she didn't expect Artemis to smack it away as if it was poison or something.

Artemis sprinted down the stairs and could hear Damon marauding around in the kitchen. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure that Conner wasn't following her.

"Damon-"she staggered into the kitchen, but abruptly stopped when instead of Damon standing there it was Conner.

"Decomposition starts in the first twenty four hours, I'm rotting in an unmarked grave because of you-"He stalked towards her.

"Get away-"Artemis shouted and spun on her heel sprinting towards the door. Elena rushed down the stairs just as the elder teen grabbed the door knob, Artemis yelped when she was found herself pinned to the wall.

"Damon something's wrong with her-"Elena rushed down the rest of the stairs.

"Art-"Damon uttered and was miffed when he saw the fear in her eyes, never once had she ever looked at him like that. "Art calm down-"but she couldn't.

She wasn't seeing Damon holding her it was Conner, "You're a killer a monster-"he grabbed her shoulders. "That's what you are…some protector? No you're not-"

"GET OFF OF ME-"Artemis shrieked her fangs were out, the veins around her eyes darkened. With her enhanced strength she sent Damon careening across the room, she needed to get out of here. She threw open the front door the sun hit her face.

Stefan's eyes snapped towards the door, he had been talking to Klaus about the elder Gilbert teen, and was surprised at what he found. But he knew that there was no way that Damon would allow Klaus to take his girlfriend.

"No Klaus don't-"he shouted, Damon burst through the front door, just as Klaus snatched Artemis and blurred off.

"What the hell is going on?" the raven head vampire growled, anger and possessiveness flared through him.

"Get your hands off-"Artemis struggled in Klaus's arms, the Original wasn't disappointed when the fiery brunette put up a fight. One of his hybrids opened a bedroom door,

"There ya go love." Klaus let her go, Artemis stumbled forward and steadied herself, she took in where she was and didn't miss the grand bed, or the boarded up windows.

Klaus didn't miss the way she seemed to gaze around the room. "Glad to see your love of art hasn't changed." Artemis glared at him, and blurred forward the Original was obviously quicker and met her halfway, he pushed her onto the bed and before she could get up he straddled her hips. "Would you just stop fighting-"

"Would you just stop being a dick." She sneered

Klaus smirked, "Just kill yourself-"Conner was the one straddling her waist. Artemis's eyes widened "Get off-"she shouted and in the blink of an eye he was off of her, she sat up on the edge of the bed, her breathing was shaky.

"Right, the hallucinations are murder. There's another reason for the windows, it's not just to preserve the art but also to prevent you from taking off your daylight ring and burning yourself in the Sun." he drawled.

Artemis frowned and looked down at her ring clad finger. "I would never kill myself" she swallowed.

"Oh but you'd want to." Klaus murmured, causing her to meet his gaze. "I did…problem is I am immortal."

Artemis slowly stood up and canted her head to the side. "You-you went through this?" she was always interesting in Klaus's life; she wanted to know what made him the way he is.

"Yes I did." She didn't flinch when he took a step towards her. "For fifty two years-"he confided, the Original hardly ever spoke of that period of his life, it made him feel weak. Artemis blinked fifty two years? She spent only a day and a half being haunted and she was already losing it. "Four months and ninety two days-"

"So you obviously haven't been counting." The brunette muttered,

Klaus rolled his eyes "I was tormented in my dreams, every waking moment, in this never ending torture." He looked back at the stunned brunette; he did think she'd be strong enough to go through this, after all this wasn't just Artemis but Athena as well. "That's the only part of my life where I felt time."

Artemis licked her lips, and brushed her hair away from her face, she didn't get the chance to tie up her hair, so curls tumbled past her shoulders, "Of course, you knew this would happen if Conner was killed, that's why you got involved. Did Stefan know to?" she questioned,

"All Stefan knew was that the hunter was to be kept alive at all cost." The hybrid informed her. "You should have let Stefan handle it-"

"Ok I get it." Artemis said irritated, "Does Stefan know anything else?"

"One of life's little mystery. Have a pleasant stay love." Klaus said heading towards the door,

"But how did you make it stop?" she called out "the hallucinations?"

Klaus glanced over his shoulder, for the first time Artemis saw the haunted look on his face. "I didn't they just went away…-"he smirked and blurred towards her, she let out a startled gasp, he brushed aside an skewed curl, "the hallucination comes in the strangest forms, Artemis…-"his eyes trailed over her face. He leant down, so his lips brushed against the shell of her ear, "say hello to Elijah for me, and whoever else you conjure up. Good luck Art-"he surprised her by placing a kiss on her cheek, and waltzed off towards the door. He tapped it "and don't say I didn't warn you." He left.

"No wait-"Artemis rushed forward but the door was slammed in her face, she groaned and looked around the empty room. Klaus mentioned hallucinations, she was already dreaming of Conner…and now there would be more coming.

Artemis sighed and held her head in her hands, she wanted all this to stop, and she kept picturing Conner's lifeless body with a gaping hole in his chest. The door opened revealing one of the hybrids, Chris she thinks his name is. He was carrying a duffle bag and food.

"Clothes, food and toothbrush-"he set it down on the bed. The brunette didn't spare him a glance; he frowned seeing the female looking more and more agitated. "Klaus said you're going to be here until he figures out what to do-"

"Just go away." Artemis snapped Chris did just that and locked the door behind him. The vampire played with her daylight right and wasn't too surprised when Conner returned.

"I can't, I'm going to be with you forever-"her eyes landed on his face, she grimaced at the sight of the gruesome wound she had inflicted on him. "A constant reminder of what you become-"

"No, no, no this isn't happening." Artemis whispered to herself "Just a hallucination…"she closed her eyes willing him away but groaned when Conner just kept talking.

"So tell me…"he walked towards her "how did it feel to drain the life out of me?"

Artemis swallowed and met his eyes. "Horrible…something I never wanted to do."

"You're lying-"Conner barked,

The brunette scowled "No-I never meant to kill you. It wasn't mean to happen." She uttered jumping onto her feet.

"You're lying tell the truth." The hunter barked,

Artemis bristled and exploded "Ok, fine I loved the taste of your blood…when I saw the lights go out in your eyes I was relieved you wasn't going to be around anymore. Happy?" she was breathing fast and hard.

"No I'm not happy Artemis." Conner said his tone no longer hard, but filled with sadness making her falter. "I'm dead Artemis…"her eyes dropped to the ground, shame and disgust filled her. "Did you know I had a family Artemis? I was a big brother-"her eyes filled with tears, regret and remorse filled her. "Parents?"

"I'm sorry-"her voice shook with unshed tears "I'm so sorry…I was-"

"Just trying to protect your family? Are you sorry about your parents' deaths?" Conner questioned, Artemis took a step back baffled at what he was saying "You weren't there for them when they died was you? You couldn't save your aunt Jenna-"

"Stop-"Artemis uttered a sob tore from her throat.

"You promised Elena and Jeremy that no more of the people they loved would get hurt." Conner said cruelly. Tears streamed down her face "John Gilbert, Alaric Saltzman were more people who you failed. All these people you couldn't save"

"NO" Artemis shouted turning away,

"I'm not going to stop till you take one last little breath of your miserable life." He promised.

Artemis scowled her eyes landed on the boarded up windows, "I'm not going to let you do this to me." She sped over to the windows and looked for a way to dismantle it, she grabbed the edges

"Then get rid of me." Conner drawled, the brunette was pale, shaky and was in a mess, guilt tore through her…she did promise Jeremy and Elena on the night of their parents death that they wouldn't lose anyone. "Kill yourself….you never did wanted to be a vampire in the first place…"she froze and looked behind her. "You wanted children; you wanted a normal human life.-"Conner once again took several steps towards her, till his chest brushed against her own. "Look at what you've become…you're a monster-"

"No-"Artemis cried, she never wanted to become one. She couldn't face him; she pressed herself against the wall and turned her back.

"You deserve to die." He jeered; she pressed the palm of her hands against her ears in a pathetic attempt to tune him out. "You don't want to listen to me? Fine."

Artemis opened her eyes and turned around not hearing him anymore, she gasped at who was there instead…it was her. Except she was wearing a dress that looked like it was from a different era. But there was something different about her.

"Who are you?" she asked staring at her replica.

"I'm you…from a life before." Her tone was lower but soft at the same time. "My name is Athena and I believe that we need to have a little chat." She smirked.

"Is this what I've become…a snivelling vampire?" Athena taunted, Artemis was sitting on the couch trying to will the hallucination away but it wasn't working. "I…I'm disappointed Artemis-"it was eerie seeing said disappointment being reflected in her eyes. Athena picked up a tendril of vampire's hair and tutted seeing the daylight ring. "So I became a monster?"

"No-"Artemis hissed pushing Athena away, the seer bristled and smoothed down her dress.

"Is my beloved still around? Elijah…"she questioned "but you have that Salvatore now don't you?"

"Shut up." The vampire snarled, she didn't want to hear Damon's name,

"Why should I?" Athena questioned "I…has Elijah seen you? You know he was always in love with us. It's a vicious thing him seeing the woman he loves on the arm of another…but then again I believe if he does see you again he'll hate you."

Artemis clenched her hands into the couch she was sitting on. "I am not in love with him."

"Evidentially so…but let me tell you something my dear." Athena knelt down in front of the distraught looking vampire. "Throughout all the lifetimes we have lived Elijah was always the one…this common little vampire you're involved with is just a distraction. You don't love him-"

"Shut up" Artemis shouted in anger standing up. "You don't know anything about me." She growled.

Athena matched her stance and canted her head to the side, "I know everything. I am you after all…these feelings for Damon are strong…but didn't he fall in love with the human you? The seer? Not this monster, you killed someone-"

"I know" Artemis sniffed "I know…I promise not to do it again. I'll…I can do better." She looked like a lost little girl, seeking approval.

Athena sighed "I think you are wrong dear. You're a vampire something we know you didn't want to be. Something you're not meant to be…"Artemis swallowed "You're a creature who will kill again, and again until you're not even you anymore…and in the end Artemis he will see that. Damon won't love you and…Elijah will never be able to. You'll be forever alone, unless you just end it all."

Artemis was haunted she couldn't stand it anymore, she Athena was bringing up all her insecurities. "SHUT UP-"she roared and lunged at her past-self but Artemis ended up landing on the bed.

The vampire looked around the room, tears cascading down her face. She just wanted all of this to stop. Artemis flopped down onto the bed and stared up at the white ceiling.

Artemis clenched her eyes shut, she was now sitting up; there was silence here for a moment before it was broken. "You know we use to be such good girls, never breaking rules, looking after those we care for…that aspect hadn't changed until now." She glared at Athena was sitting on the edge of the bed, "When you was a seer that hadn't changed. What have we become Artemis?"

Artemis took a step back when Athena stood up, "I had-"

"You-no we became a monster." She murmured "I protected Katerina like you protected Elena and Jeremy…now? You hurt your sister and killed your brother…all this trouble because of you."

Artemis looked frantically around trying to find a way out of her personal hell; she cringed when Athena grasped her chin. "Artemis listened you was excellent as a human…now you're a vampire. You're going to end up hurting them, they'll be better off if you're gone."

Artemis looked at her and shook her head. "I am not going to kill myself…"

"Why not?" Athena sneered; it was odd seeing the expression on her face, Artemis briefly wondered if that was how Elena felt when she saw Katherine. "You're ruining the purpose of being a Claudette seer, a creature of night was never what we were meant to become.-you're a monster…you made us into a monster."

"No-"Artemis sobbed; she couldn't be a monster could she? She slipped and fell onto the couch "Please just go away." She sobbed in despair, she killed someone. She took someone's life, she broke a family apart.

Artemis hated herself, "Just please go." She whispered hoarsely. She fell to her knees and sobbed. Artemis gasped hearing the door opening.

"Art?" Stefan entered the room, his eyes landed on the slim brunette who was on the floor; she looked terrible, haunted and afraid.

Instead of seeing Stefan she saw Conner, Artemis backed away in fear. "No-go away. I SAID SORRY-"she shrieked crawling away.

"I'm trying to help you-"

"You want me dead." Artemis tore a piece of pipe from beneath the bed, and used the enhanced speed and swung it down-she snarled when he grabbed her wrist.

Stefan gritted his teeth "Stop Art-"he ordered. He could tell from her eyes she wasn't seeing him. He caught her in a hallucinated state.

Artemis threw him back and stabbed him in the chest and blurred out of the room. Stefan groaned and fell to his knees. He needed to get help for her. He had to call Damon.

Artemis stormed down the dark street; she had no idea where she was going only that her feet were leading her there, wherever there was.

Flashes of images passed through her mind, she recalled herself being trapped in the car underwater. She remembered Conner's words, she was a monster, she killed someone, she got high on blood, and all the things she thought she never would do she had done, because she was a vampire.

"Are you ready to die?" Conner asked walking alongside her, Artemis's eyes snapped over to him. "You know it's the only way out of this." The brunette pressed her lips together and stared straight ahead.

"You can't take back what you did Artemis." Athena murmured, they were leading her somewhere "You-we was never meant to become this, it's against our nature…you're a monster Artemis…something I never wanted to be. Just die and end it all." Her skirts swished around her ankles as they walked.

Artemis looked again and skidded to a stop, finally realising where they had led her. "Wickery Bridge." She breathed; she came to a stop at the bridge where she was meant to die. She took several steps forward till she was right beside the railing of the bridge. Artemis placed her palms against the cement and looked down through her tear-filled eyes.

"Why here? Why did they lead me here?" the brunette's voice was filled with confusion. Like the night of her death, this road was devoid of all life, it was just her, her glassy eyes stared out into the night's sky, and it was nearing dawn.

"What has become of you Artemis?" an accented voice rang out, Artemis looked in surprised at the other figure on the bridge.

"Elijah?" she breathed seeing the dark haired Original, he looked exactly as she remembered when she last saw him. He was outfitted in a crisp suit and stood beside her, he looked tall and regal.

"You killed someone did you not?" he questioned softly, his dark eyes met her grey orbs.

"It was an accident…I didn't mean to." The female said earnestly, she was confused and so lost.

"But you did." Elijah uttered, "I've roamed the earth for a thousand years Artemis…I know what you're going through…this person you've become? Was not meant to be."

Artemis swallowed, she felt the cool breeze against her wet cheeks "I…but you-you gave me your blood-"

Elijah sighed and turned to face her, he brushed aside a few fallen curls away from her face. "I gave the girl who was human my blood. To heal her. I had no intention of turning her into a despicable creature-"she let out a whimper when his grip on her cheek became firmer. "A seer was what you were meant to be….it was a seer who I walked the earth for, time and time again our paths crossed, but we never had our time, our…earth shattering moments."

His voice was smooth and silken; she swallowed feeling his thumb brushing against her bottom lip. "But now you're a monster Artemis, something I never wanted you to be. The reason you're here on this very bridge is because this is where your life should have ended." He informed her.

Artemis sniffed and took a step back; she gazed down at the still water. "Our common interest Artemis is our family, we share that. You died for Elena….the cycle that is your life should have stopped on this very bridge." Elijah stated

Artemis resisted the urge to rip out her hair. "I don't know what to do Elijah…"she admitted. He gave her one of his very rare smile.

"You know exactly what to do Artemis…you always did." His chocolate coloured eyes fell to her ring clad finger. He took her hand in hers and inspected the trinket, Artemis realised what he meant "That's right Artemis, just take it off and when the sun comes up…you'll be free, and it'll be over."

Artemis's teary eyes met his gaze, he was right she didn't want to be here…not anymore…after everything she'd done, everything she's been through she should never have walked the earth again. Elijah smiled "You were meant to be a seer, nothing more and nothing less. Your time has ended…take it off it's the right thing to do. Admit it Artemis."

Artemis inhaled all she had to do was take it off, "You're….I'm a monster….and I deserve to die." She said facing the water, she gripped the ring and slipped it off before dropping it in the water.

The brunette blinked and realised what she was doing…she promised them, they had her. She promised Jeremy and Elena that it'd always be them three.

She took a step back…why was she doing this? She was taking the coward's way out. They needed her, how could she be so thoughtless?

"I can't do this…what about Jeremy and Elena?" Artemis questioned, "I'm-you can't convince me Elijah." She snapped.

Elijah sighed disappointment seeped from him, "Perhaps I cannot…but I believe he can." He looked pointedly behind her, Artemis's jaw clench and she felt something being ripped through her heart at the next visitor.

"Daddy?" Artemis whispered she was always a daddy's girl; Elena was more of her mother's daughter.

"Artemis…"he smiled and stood beside her, she revelled in his touch when he cupped her cheek, "It's the right thing to do, Jeremy and Elena will be fine they would be better without you. Don't you see that?" Grayson asked,

Artemis's eyes roamed her father's face, she drank him in, "But then…they won't have anyone, no one will take care of them."

Grayson chuckled softly and took her hand. "They have each other Artemis. And you can still help Jeremy, you'll be a ghost who helps him, not a monster who hurts him." he explained.

Artemis blinked, her heart ached and her stomach lurched in resignation, what he was saying to her made sense. She'll only end up hurting them. "You're right…I'm sorry…I was such a disappointment—"

"No-"Grayson snapped "you were anything but a disappointment. You looked after them, you held the family together. You were there when we couldn't be Artemis-"sobs tore from the brunette's throat, "but you died Art, and you were supposed to stay dead. Just let go and you can join us…be in peace finally." He coaxed her.

Artemis was completely oblivious to who was behind her. "Art?" she spun around and saw that it was Damon who was there.

"Damon?" she frowned in confusion, she looked back over to where her father was standing but he was gone, along with Elijah. She blinked away her tears and glanced back over to her boyfriend. "How did you find me?"

Damon forced himself to remain calm, they had found out how to break the hunter's curse, now he had to bring her home. He was itching just to scoop her up, and lock her away. But he didn't, he didn't want Artemis flip out. So he slowly approached her as he spoke.

"It didn't take a genius to figure out where you were." Damon said

Artemis nodded and licked her chapped licks "You were right Damon, vampires do kill people and Stefan…he was right to. He told me the guilt of killing someone would crush me…and it has." He didn't like the flat tone she was using. "I…can't do this anymore Damon. I'm tired…I don't want to feel this way…I want to end it all"

Damon growled at the idea of her killing herself, and clenched his hands into fists. "Look at you Art…being all doom and gloom. Let's just go inside Art and we can talk. Before you do something stupid."

Artemis blinked and ignored him, "The sun will be up soon." She saw Conner standing behind Damon.

"It's almost over Artemis. You'll be free." Elijah's breath fanned across the nape of her neck, Artemis's lips stretched into a small smile, she just wanted to be at peace. No more guilt, regrets, hurt or anger, just peace.

"Ok." She uttered and looked ahead, she could see the sky changing colour, and the sun will be coming up soon. Damon followed her gaze and frowned, his eyes dropped to her hand…her fingers were bare.

"Where is your ring Artemis?" he snarled, she swallowed and pressed her lips together, only a few more minutes and this will all be over.

"I'm scared…"the female vampire said under her breath.

"Then we will do this together." Elijah whispered into her ear, and took her hand. "Together as it should be Artemis, you and I."

Artemis swallowed a lung full of hair and blinked, a tear cascaded down her face. Damon edged closer,

"We need to get you inside Artemis-"

"It's almost time." Elijah stated she looked over her shoulder. "And I'll be there with you…"

"What you're going through is a curse." Damon uttered wanting to coax her down from the edge, "what you're going through is a curse, we know how to break it but we have to get you inside." He snapped frustrated that she wasn't even looking at him.

"Don't let him stop you-"Conner snarled "you killed me…you know you're a monster. You don't deserve to live. You know that."

Artemis nodded whatever the raven head vampire was saying was going in one ear out of the other. "I know you want to listen but you can't-"Damon scowled seeing that she was focused on no doubt a hallucinated image rather than him. "But you can't."

Damon couldn't stand there anymore, the sun was rising, "Damn it Art-"he growled and blurred forward, Artemis was quick though and within a second she was behind him. "No Art please listen-"he pleaded,

"It's ok…I do this and it'll be over. Everything will be ok." She uttered her eyes were wide and frantic.

"No it won't be. You'd be dead." Damon shouted at her "I can't lose you, not you-"

Artemis shook her head taking another step back, "It's ok…-"

"I'll be here. Come Artemis." Elijah was standing on the stone railing of the bridge. "We will do this together." He held out his hand.

Artemis reached out, but then all of a sudden she felt something being lifted off of her. Her mind was clear and she felt like herself.

Damon watched as she gasped and saw the shadow that seemed to have been tainting her vanished. Her bright grey orbs met his icy blue ones.

"I…-"she looked around, there was no Conner, no Grayson, no Elijah. "They're gone." Artemis muttered.

Damon nodded "It's ok-"

She groaned and hissed her skin was burning, and sizzling. "Damon? What-"Damon could see the sun rising. He rushed forward, and held her to him. "Hold on-"he threw them over the edge, Artemis felt the cold water hit her and then nothing.

Artemis blinked; she could feel the sun against her skin. She was still slightly groggy and realised that she was in her bed; she saw the ring on her finger.

She slowly sat up gingerly touching her blue ring. "I fished it out of the river for you. Little tip vampires hate to swim…unless they have a sexy companion." Artemis shifted and saw that Damon was sitting on the window-seat in her room. She was only clad in one of his buttoned down shirt.

"Damon?" she groaned and pressed her hand against her head.

"How are you feeling?" he moved over to her, and sat on the edge of her bed.

Artemis blinked and smiled "So much better, it's like my mind is clear." She uttered, "I remember…but it was like a very bad dream."

Damon hummed, and was glad that she hadn't pushed herself away like beforehand when he touched her. He pulled her onto his lap, Artemis draped her arms over his shoulders and kissed the underside of his jaw. Damon's grip was strong and firm, he didn't want to let her go.

"Thank you." she whispered into his ear, "you saved me."

Damon pulled back and tilted her chin up so he could see her eyes "I'd always save you Artemis." Artemis smiled seeing the sincerity in his eyes "I'd do the same for you…."her mind flashed back over the bridge, she was so close, so close to giving up. "I…nearly killed myself."

Damon frowned "You weren't yourself Art." This was plaguing his mind, he needed to tell her the truth, and she deserved to know.

He took her hand in hers, and rested his other hand on her bare thigh, idly stroking the smooth skin. "I'm about to tell you something Art…Stefan hasn't been lying to you, well not completely but there's a reason."

Artemis chose to remain silence; she could tell that Damon was struggling to get the words out. "Stefan has been feeling guilty all this time, about letting you die…but…so he's trying to help you…there may be a way out of this for you Artemis." Artemis watched him carefully, "There may be a cure for vampirism."

Artemis was stunned at that, a cure? For this? It was unbelievable…"A cure for vampirism?" she said softly, an array of emotion passed his face.

"Yes." Damon swallowed the lump of his throat, he knew if he told her what he wanted he was being selfish, and that was the one thing he couldn't do to her. "You can have children, you can grow old…you can have your old life."

Possibilities flew through Artemis's mind, a chance to be human? To be a seer again? She could have it all…but then did she want that? Did she want a life without Damon? She made up her mind.

"No." Damon was surprised at her answer

"What? Art-"

She hushed him up by placing her finger against his lips "Listen please. I don't want the cure Damon; I don't want to be human again. Not after everything that we went through-"he gently pulled her hand away,

Damon frowned "Artemis…don't….don't give up the chance of being human not for me." He uttered, he'd end up hating himself if she gave up this for him. "You wanted children…you wanted to grow old with your family."

Artemis smiled gently "The human me wanted all of that. That's not me anymore…if I wanted children and have all of that it would have been with you. I don't want to be human Damon…I just want to be with you, and forever sounds like…a perfect idea." She confided.

Damon's eyes lit up, he had the biggest grin on his face, and euphoria filled the pit of his stomach and spread throughout the rest of his body. He kissed her hard on the lips; Artemis gasped when he nipped her bottom lip, and she automatically opened her mouth, and moaned when he plunged his tongue into her mouth.

Their lips, tongues and teeth clashed, he pulled back and his lips latched onto the column of her throat, Damon's fingers slip under the hem of the shirt she was wearing.

"Damon-"she hummed, and gasped when he pinned her down to the bed, she hitched her leg over his hip, and the make vampire groaned feeling the heat coming off of her, he grinded his hips against hers, causing her to moan breathlessly. "I love you Artemis Gilbert."

Artemis opened her eyes, and smiled brightly up at him, she saw the love, adoration and devotion all over his face. This was what she wanted, just her and Damon. "I love you too Damon Salvatore." Damon sealed the declaration with a kiss.

Artemis bit into her apple, and rolled her eyes, seeing the mess that her younger siblings have left behind all over the front room. She and Damon spent most of the morning in her bed, and she managed to convince her boyfriend they can pick up where they left off later tonight.

"Good to know things hadn't changed." She muttered under her breath, and gagged seeing a half-eaten pizza stuffed into the couch, she definitely needed to have a talk with Jeremy. There was a knock on the front door, Artemis pulled it open and smiled seeing Stefan.

"Stefan." She greeted him,

"Hi…erm is Elena here?" he asked. Artemis shook her head "I think we need to talk." He uttered, the brunette shut the door and dropped down beside him on the porch swing. There was a moment of silence. "So Damon told you" he stated.

"Yes." Artemis answered taking another bite out of the juicy fruit. "I'm sorry about the whole stabbing thing."

Stefan chuckled "It wasn't the first time that happened. Now we've all got no secrets…we all want the same thing-"she threw the apple and managed to get it in the bin.

"I don't think we do Stefan." Artemis cut him off; she swallowed down the fruit and looked at him. "I…I don't want to be human…I am ok with being who I am now."

Stefan's brows furrowed, he thought she would be ecstatic about this. "Art a chance to be human isn't something to brush aside-"

"I'm with Damon. What is the point of a cure when I can just be with him?" Artemis uttered "I love him Stefan…I-maybe there's a reason for me to being a vampire. I…I-we've been through so much, Damon was always there for me, I just want to be happy with him Stefan."

Stefan blinked and gazed at her, "So you don't want the cure?"

"No." Artemis said seriously, there was no doubt in her voice. There was a moment of silence, she sighed feeling the warm sun on her skin.

"Can I tell you something Artemis?" Stefan asked, causing her to look at him.

"Anything." She smiled at him.

"I want the cure…I want to be human." he confided in her, Artemis stared at him in puzzlement

"Why?" she asked.

Stefan smiled "Really asking that? I have a million reasons to want to be human. I don't want to be controlled by my bloodlust, I don't want to be a ripper…more than that though I want to grow old with Elena…have children with the woman I love get married. Just be happy." He uttered.

Artemis swallowed, she never thought that after Stefan would want to be human, he's been a vampire for over a hundred and sixty-something years. "But what about Damon? Your brother?"

Stefan looked at her, and twirled his daylight ring on his finger. "He has you now Artemis…I think he gets his happy ending and I just want mine."

Artemis's heightened hearing picked up the sound of a car coming down the road; she could make out Elena's car. "You're going to have to tell her." she uttered as she stood up. Stefan also stood up and nodded.

"I know."

"Stefan…I'll help you…I'll help you get the cure. Out of everyone I think you should get it. You'll make her so happy." Artemis said, Stefan grinned and drew her into a hug, she mimicked his actions.

"Art-"Elena called out running towards her older sister and hugged her, "I'm so glad you're ok.-"she pulled back and slapped the vampire on the arm.

"What the hell?" Artemis huffed.

"Never do that again." Elena stated, "Stefan-"she smiled at her boyfriend.

"Come on we need to talk." Stefan said and took her hand; Artemis watched them go and decided to leave the couple knowing they would need more than a couple of hours to talk. She briefly wondered what she would do for those hours,

"What to do?" she muttered to herself, walking down the driveway.

"How about a date with your sexy ass boyfriend?" Damon smirked appearing in front of her, "You did say we can finish off where we left off." He purred into her ear.

"I did say that." Artemis matched his smirk, "but you'll have to catch me first." She blew him a kiss and blurred off. Damon grinned and sped after her.

AN: Apologies for any grammar or spelling mistakes. Outfit link on profile. Thanks to those who reviewed.

So in this chap-Art is dreaming of Conner, she ends up seeing him in the kitchen and stabs him, but its Jeremy. Damon arrives and tries to comfort her, she thinks Stefan is hiding something. Stefan and her talk, Art showers but panics when she sees blood. She gets dressed and sees Connor again, its Elena though. She runs downstairs and throws Damon aside, Klaus takes her. Klaus tells her that he went through the same thing. He wishes her luck and leaves. Art meets Athena her past self, Athena tells her she never wanted to be what Artemis is, a vampire. She goads her about Elijah, saying he'll always be her one. Stefan tries to help she stabs him before running. She ends up at the bridge, where Elijah appears, who is followed by her dad. Damon arrives and sees the sun rises, the curse is lifted. Artemis tells Damon she doesn't want the cure, she just wants him. Stefan and her talk, he tells her he wants to be human for Elena.

Next Chap- The pageant is back, and Jeremy attacks.

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