"Why did I get in the car with you?"

After saying goodbye to Stefan and Kol's return, she took him up on his offer for a road trip. However, he wouldn't tell her where they were going and that it was a surprise. When she called Caroline to let her know she would be out of town for a few days, she suffered her older sister's wrath for an hour.

"Darling you know can't resist my charms. Besides, you need a break from that hellhole you all call a town. When was the last time you enjoyed life?"

"...Before I found out vampires, werewolves and witches existed..."

"See! Take a breather. We'll reach our destination in the next hour. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride."

"Okay but I want to ask you something."

"Shoot."

"...Why me?"

"Hmm?"

"Why me? I mean why did you choose me?"

"I just... I just had to know you." 

"But why?"

"Let me ask you something. Why did you save my brother?"

"But you didn't answer my question!"

"I'll answer that another time but you can ask me about something else. Now your answer?"

"...Because he didn't deserve that. Finn hasn't done anything to Elena and the rest of us so why should he die? Who is Elena to decide that? Finn was in a coffin for nine-hundred years, you for a hundred. All of you were almost killed by your mother and Finn was manipulated by her. You two deserve to be happy as well and it would be nice if you all could get along."

"I'm fine as it is... You're enough for me."

"Kol, I know that you weren't included in always and forever. The three of them were wrong for not including you and Finn and you have a thousand years of resentment... Instead of looking back, try to look forward. The five of you can have a fresh start as a family... You don't have to if you don't want to."

"...I'll think about it... My siblings don't deserve you... I don't deserve you."

Ariel smiles sweetly at him and takes his hand resting on the armrest to lace their fingers together. "Even you deserve happiness, mini Elijah."

"Why must you always do that?"

Ariel tries to hold back a giggle. "My turn! So you're old-"

"I beg your pardon?"

"How many times have you been in love?"

"...One."

"One? Really?!"

"Is it really that hard to believe?"

"Yes! You've been alive for a thousand years!"

"Well this one was different. Once I saw her, I just had to know her. Every chance I got to see her, she would save me from the darkest parts of myself."

"She must have been very special."

"She was."

"So when will you answer my first question?"

"...When it's the right time."

An hour later, the two arrive in Denver and head to the batting cages.

"So why did you bring me to Denver?"

Kol brings Ariel to one of the cages and points at a young man.

"That's why."

Ariel realizes who it is and runs to him.

"No way! JEREMY?!"

Jeremy turns around, grinning at running female and catches her as she jumps into his arms, spinning her around. "Hey you."

"I really missed you."

"Oh, yeah? Well, I really really missed you." Jeremy chuckles and puts her down. "Thanks for bringing her here."

"No problem, mate."

"How do you two know each other?"

"Guess what I was doing for the past week?"

"Wait... You were here with Jeremy? Why?! And does he know who you really are?"

"Who he really is?"

"First, after what you told me what Elena did, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I wanted to make sure he was in no danger before I brought you here and during that time, we became friends. Second, he does not which is why I was hoping you would explain."

"Okay, I can understand that but why did you look for him?"

"...I did it for you."

The two share a long gaze into each other's eyes before Jeremy eventually breaks up the contact. "Not meaning to ruin the moment between you lovebirds but please explain what is going on. What did Elena do and the meaning about who Kol is?"

Ariel blushes and looks away for Kol to face Jeremy. "Jer... Elena had Damon compel you to leave Mystic Falls and start a new life."

"What? No."

"Jeremy, you know me. You know I would never lie to you."

"..But how could she...? She did it again..."

"I'm sorry." Ariel said, holding his hand to comfort him. "But you know how Elena is, she makes decisions and nobody else gets a say. When I found out what she did, you were already gone... She wouldn't tell us where you were and Bonnie wasn't even able to find you. Guess it was a cloaking spell."

Jeremy becomes completely quiet, its like he is suddenly in a trance.

"Jeremy? What's wrong?"

"Huh? ...Oh nothing!"

"Are you sure? Do you feel sick?"

"No! No, I'm okay... Anyway, you shouldn't apologize for something my sister did. It's not your fault, you didn't even know. But... I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you. We missed our movie nights."

Ariel giggles, "Disney or horror?"

Jeremy laughs, "Before we get to that, mind explaining to me about Kol?"

"Umm... Kol is an original."

"WHAT?!" Jeremy faces Kol, pulling Ariel behind him. "Did you compel me to be friends with you?!"

"Jer, it's okay!"

"No, mate. Our friendship is quite real but your baseball skills are quite awful."

"Jer, he's a good guy. He hasn't hurt me or our friends. Not Elena even when she did try to kill him and his siblings. And he brought me here to you even when he didn't have to."

"But he's an original-"

"I know. And you know that I've become close to them... Can't you give them a chance? For me? Kol and his siblings just want to live in peace. It's not like they asked for this life. I'm tired of all the revenge and bloodshed. It's not going to solve anything for Elena or you. It's not going to bring Jenna back. What matters now is that we still have each other."

"You always try to see the good in people and worry more about everyone else's well-being more than your own."

"I can't help it, it's part of my character."

Jeremy chuckles and brings her into a hug. Kol smiles slightly at the sight and interrupts the moment. "Sorry but I have to find a bite to eat."

"Let's go find a diner or something then."

"Not that kind of hungry, darling."

"...Oh, you said bite. You meant human..."

"Well, what are we suppose to do while eating someone?"

"Let my darling play baseball with you. I believe she can play quite better than you."

"Hey!"

"Just try not to kill anyone? ...Got it?"

"Only for you."

Kol vamp speeds away to find someone to snack on while Jeremy and Ariel go into one of the batting cages. Jeremy begins to think about how his best friend has always been more of a sister to him than Elena. Ever since his parents died, Ariel never judged him and let him grieve in his own way until he was ready to move on. The same couldn't be said for Elena as kept acting more like a parent than a sister.

The whole day is spent with the three hanging out at and eating tons of junk food at Jeremy's place. Ariel catches Jeremy up on what has been going on in the past few months including Stefan's departure from Mystic Falls. By nighttime, Kol tucks Ariel in bed and heads to the living room to speak with Jeremy.

"Make her stay happy. She deserves it after everything we been through... Even though I had no idea who you really were at the time, I could see the smile on your face every time you would talk about her. How excited you got from every call or text... And how much you missed her. She's always worrying about everyone else especially Elena and never took the time to find happiness for herself. Be with her, just promise me that."

"I promise, mate... But I need to ask you something..."

Jeremy looks shocked and stands from his seat. "How did you know?"

Three days later, Ariel and Jeremy are at the batting cages but their fun is interrupted by no one other than Elena and Damon.

"Ariel, what are you doing here?"

"Hmm, are you more curious on how I found out Jeremy is here or are you afraid that you got busted?"

"Some sister you turned out to be. You had Damon mess with my mind again!"

"Hey, don't talk to your-"

"Shut up, dick! You know it's funny, you do anything for my sister and what do you get in return?"

Damon is about to lose his cool and make a move towards Jeremy but is suddenly hit with a baseball bat. "What the hell?!"

"It would be in your best interest not to lay a finger on my buddy."

"Kol?!" Elena looks at Ariel. "You brought him here?!"

"No. He brought me here."

"That's right. When my darling told me all about how you ripped her best friend out of her life and how much she missed him, I decided to try to find him. You really don't care how your decisions affect others, do you?"

"Ariel, I'm sorry."

"You always are."

"What are you doing here, Elena?"

"I just wanted to see you."

"You had to bring Damon with you?"

"Wait, so you two are allowed to see him but me and everyone else aren't?"

"Yet you two are the ones who messed with his mind. Quite funny, isn't it?"

"Jer, you want to talk to her?"

"It's okay. You and Kol go wait for me at the diner."

"Actually I need to talk to little mermaid."

"She doesn't have to talk to you if she doesn't want to. Have you forgotten the things that have happened recently?"

"Which is exactly why I need to talk to her."

"Kol, it's fine. I'll meet you at the diner."

Kol is hesitant to leave her but is reassured with the smile she gives him. He takes his leave but not before kissing the back of her hand. Ariel and Damon sit at the tables to give Elena and Jeremy some space.

"What do you want, Damon?"

"I'm sorry."

"For?"

"Using you as a distraction for Kol and trying to kill him and his siblings. Also I will apologize again for compelling Jeremy to leave Mystic Falls. And I'll stop trying to kill the originals. Will you forgive me?"

"Well, that depends on you. How much longer are you going to cling to Elena?"

"Ari-"

"I've managed to talk some sense into your brother but you're just being difficult."

"Wait, you knew Stefan left? Did you make him leave?"

"No, it was his choice to leave. I told him to let the revenge and Elena go because neither was helping him at all. He was being ruined by it all and the same goes for you! Damon, do you think I like seeing you this way? Because I don't. I have always been on your team, I wanted you to get the girl. I want you to be happy. Honestly, if you had met Elena first, things would be different and maybe you and Stefan wouldn't have fought over her."

"...I did meet her first."

"What?"

"It was the night her parents died. When she was still at the party, waiting for her parents to pick her up. We talked for a bit and I compelled her to forget me."

"...Why did you never say anything?"

"What was I suppose to say, she was already with Stefan. But you're probably right, things could have gone differently and I have the girl."

"I love you, Dee Dee." Ariel places her hand on top on his. "I want you to find the right girl and get your happy ending. Hell, I know you deserve it, more than anyone. But Elena is not it for you. Does she love you both? Yes. But the problem is, she's caused a rift between you and your brother. And just as Jeremy mentioned, you sacrifice so much for her but what do you get in return?" Ariel kisses his cheek and stands up from her seat. "Just think about it... And I forgive you."

Ariel leaves Damon to his thoughts and when she doesn't see Elena or Jeremy, she decides to make her way to the diner. On the way there, she is stopped by Elena.

"Ari."

"Elena."

"My talk with Jeremy didn't go so well..."

"What did you expect? His mind was messed with again, you sent him away from his home and best friend. But most important, you took away his choice."

"I just wanted what's best for him. I wanted him away from it all."

"I can understand that but at the end of the day, it should always be his choice not yours. He doesn't need you telling him what to do or trying to control his life plans. You're his sister not his parent."

"...He just told me something similar to that. Ever since we've lost our parents, I've acted more like a parent than a sister to him."

"Well, I hope that makes you think about the decisions you make from now on."

"...Did you know Stefan left?"

"Yeah, he asked me to meet him before he left. It was his decision to leave and while I will miss him, I'm glad he's getting a fresh start."

"Just one more thing... How did you know that Ric had the last stake?"

"That's something you don't need to know. Just know that I got rid of it and I will never trust you again, knowing that you were hiding one more weapon to kill my friends. One more thing, if Damon still chooses you, don't you dare use him again. Ever. If you really love him, don't make him lose me too. Better yet, you could let him go but I wonder if you will really do that since Stefan is gone now."

Ariel leaves Elena behind and meets up with Kol and Jeremy at the diner. After eating, the three return to Jeremy's place and help him pack. After putting his luggage in the car, Ariel tells Jeremy to wait in the car while she talks to Kol.

"Jeremy can't leave though. Damon didn't break the compulsion."

"Actually, darling... He can return home now. The compulsion was broken a few days ago."

"What? H-how?"

"You. It was you who broke it."

"Kol, I... I don't understand."

Kol takes her vervain bracelet off. "Did you drink any vervain?" She shakes her head then he places his hands on her shoulders and feels her instantly relax. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course."

"Forget what happened today."

"...It didn't work."

"You had a vision of my brother dying. Broke Jeremy's compulsion just by touching him. And you cannot be compelled."

"So that means..."

"You're not human... Most likely a witch or something else." 

Almost 500 reads? Are you serious?! Thank all so much and I hope to update once more before the holidays!