Light shines in through a large window, bathing Gwen in warmth. Her body lays on top of silk sheets. Gwen's eyes take in the large bedroom, and it's minimal furniture. Until they land on Damon's eyes face. He lays on his side, head in his hand propped up by an elbow.

"You confuse me," Gwen confesses.

He smiles "The feeling is mutual."

"How long have I been out?"

"A day, we have taken turns checking on you including Elena."

Ignoring her body Gwen sits up, eyes scanning around. Taking in the large spacious room. The elegant wood dresser and headboard. Which is attached to the king size bed she is on. Last her eyes land on a large tall window.

It all leads to one conclusion Gwen voices put loud "This isn't my room."

"Nope, it's mine."

Gwen tells herself it's being in his bed that sends her guard up. When in truth, Gwen is uncomfortable with the fact that Damon's voice pulled her back to reality. His plea still echoing in her mind. Bringing out old feelings she thought were long gone.

His voice breaks through her thoughts, "Hungry?"

"Yes."

"Good," Damon stands "Go get changed, but don't take forever."

"Okay one, where are we going? And two, why do I have to go? And last, change into what? My clothes are at the hotel."

"Park, it's Volunteer Day so I'm sure they will have food," He points to the closet "All your stuff is in there, Stefan brought over this morning while I checked you out of that horrible hotel," He bows dramatically "You are welcome."

Gwen's nose flares in irritation "Now I have to waste the day away searching for another hotel."

"Relax, got it covered."

"Oh really?"

Damon shrugs "You are going to stay here, you can pick out a room later."

Gwen jumps off his bed in anger "What!" You can't just decide that like I'm some child."

"You're right," He steps closer "Take it up with Stefan, it's his idea after all," Damon backs away "You got a few minutes to get ready."

With a roll of her eyes, Gwen quickly changes and joins Damon in his car. They arrive at a large beautiful park full of people. Spotting Stefan talking to tall man with short brown hair. Sporting a plain blue shirt and jeans.

Gwen asks "Who is Stefan talking to?"

"Mason Lockwood," Damon answers marching towards Stefan, Gwen trailing behind "By the way, you were right about him being a wolf."

Gwen smiles smugly "Called it."

Mason Lockwood leaves right as they stop behind Stefan.

Damon speaks first "What are you doing?"

"Negotiating peace on your behalf," Stefan replies.

"I don't want peace,"

Stefan looks over his shoulder "Consider it opposite day."

With a sigh, Damon steps in front of his brother, hands clamping down on Stefan's shoulders. "Please tell me you don't seriously think a handshake just solved our problem."

"No, actually I think that the first chance Mason Lockwood gets, he's gonna drive a stake through your heart and then through mine, all because you took it upon yourself to try to kill him," Stefan claps Damon on the arm "So thank you because we don't have enough problems," Brushing Damon's hands off Stefan turns to Gwen "How about a walk?"

"Absolutely, catch me up on this Lockwood business."

Sending Damon a tiny smile, she follows Stefan. Who shares a lovely story of Damon stabbing Mason with a silver knife. Gwen releases a chuckle while shaking her head.

"You have a genius brother there," They stop near a table of food and paper plates "Why do you want me to stay at your place?"

"You were attacked and would have died if Damon didn't show up. For a moment we all thought that's what was going to happen. Gwen, you got stuck your own head somehow. Damon and I tried getting in there but something blocked us. Elena would Visit and talk, but she couldn't reach you. None of us could. I think you would be safer from Katherine with one of us near," He pulls her into a tight hug "Please, just think about it."

"Okay," Gwen says as they pull apart "It wasn't Katherine, the dude said something about keeping it hidden, I think he was meant the crystal I'm looking for. As for the mental issue. I tried cursing him but it rebounded on to me. Must have been wearing a protection amulet."

"More reason to stay with us, plus it's rent free," Stefan offers a small smile "Just please, be careful."

Gwen's reply is simple "I will try."

Stefan leaves Gwen to fill her empty stomach. Once satisfied, she starts checking the park out. It isn't long before she finds Elena. Who sits alone next to a mini waterfall, looking sad and ripping apart a plant.

Gwen calls out softly "Hey."

Her head snaps to Gwen. Lips forming a gentle smile "you're alive and looking great," genuine relief pours out of Elena's voice "Want to join me?"

"Sorry to pry, but what has you down?" Gwen asks, sitting down next to her.

Elena sums it all up in one word "Katherine," Her pain and frustration clear "Trying to get in between me and Stefan."

"Can I give you advice?"

"Please,"

Gwen's dark blue eyes watch Elena's face "Katherine loves playing games, getting into people's heads.... don't let her succeed. Especially if you and Stefan care for each other," she thinks of her own past with Katherine "Don't let anyone tear you away from people you love."

A high pitch voice stops Elena's response "Oh I'll just come back later."

Standing up Gwen's eyes land on the same blonde who Damon wanted to stake "No it's okay, I'm Gwen by the way."

"Caroline." Caroline chews on her bottom lip, "You stopped Damon from killing me, thanks."

"No problem. Besides, I bet Stefan and Elena's wrath is scarier then Damon's," Their laughter is small and forced "Well, see you two around."

Back near the lemonade stand. Gwen debates leaving until spotting the Salvatore brothers. Damon on a bench being held down by Stefan. Bad vibes going off like crazy, Gwen rushes over.

Questioning the boys with a commanding tone "What happened?"

Damon answers "Mason Lockwood spiked the lemonade with vervain and now I'm going to kill him."

"Okay, Damon," Stefan nods "I don't like it. He's making threats. He could expose us. We need to put him down," He let's Damon go.

Gwen crosses her arms "You have a plan right?"

Damon's eyes look past Stefan. To Mason carrying out garbage cans "Trash duty. Come on."

Stefan halts her plan of following "You stay here "

"Hell no, besides back up is always good and you can't stop me from following you."

Stefan sighs "Fine, but stay hidden."

"Unless he is kicking our ass," Damon adds "Then feel free to curse away, at him not us."

Gwen follows a good distance behind until they spot Mason. With Stefan's pointed look she reluctantly hides behind a tree. Peeking out in case she is needed. Sense she can't hear their voices.

Everything is normal at first, Damon taunting and Stefan waiting. Until Mason ducks as gunshots break the silence. Damon drops to the floor, his blood soaking his shirt followed by more gunshots and Stefan.

Her plan of rushing in and being the hero is short lived. When an older women with short blonde hair steps out. Wearing a pink shirt, jeans and brown boots.

Two deputies stand beside her guns aimed at the boys. As the women gives them what looks like a shot.

Gwen watches unsure what do as the boys are dragged away. Right now, I could use my own backup but no time to worry.

Gwen speed walks, ducks behind trees, eyes locked on Damon and Stefan. Trying to form a plan of attack.

Halfway Elena's voice stops her "Gwen!" Relief sweeping through her at not bring alone. Gwen runs to Elena "Stefan and Damon are in trouble, Caroline stands beside Elena."

"I know, saw them get shot by what looked like cops and some older lady."

Caroline speaks up "Did you see where they went?"

"No was following but I lost them.....could you-"

Caroline nods "Yeah I got this."

Taking the lead Elena and Gwen trail behind, practicality running. Until Caroline stops near stone stairs that lead underground.

Her face turns from calm to worry "My mom...she's killing them."

Not waiting for a plan Gwen race's down the steps. Pushing past an iron gate into some kind of old ruin. Damon and Stefan lay on the ground, their chest filled with bullets. Caroline's mom, who turns out to have been the shooter. Stands in between the two deputies guns pointed at the boys.

Knots of worry blooming in her gut, Gwen yells "Wait!"

Caroline's mom, turns her blue eyes to Gwen confused. As Gwen slowly inches forward. Hands held high. Prepared to curse despite being outnumbered.

Caroline's mom asks "Who are you?"

"A friend of theirs," Gwen answers "Please, you are making a mistake."

Elena burst in face twisting into a mix of worry and fear.

"You can't kill them, we won't let you." Elena argues coming to stand by Gwen.

Everyone jumps as the gate slams shut accompanied by racing steps. Caroline appears behind a deputy aggressively attacking his neck. The other deputy starts to fire, completely missing.

Gwen runs over, placing a hand on his cheek. His eyes widen as black consumes her eyes. It only takes a minute. She lets him drop to the ground. Where he lays stiff, stuck in a coma.

"Hi mom." Caroline manages to smile, her face covered in blood.

Bulging veins under her eyes, fangs, and the dark red surrounding her irises disappear. Her mom steps back, her body hitting the wall as she slides down onto the floor in shock.

Gwen and Elena sit down near the boys. After a few minutes, they wake up. Damon feeds on the cursed deputy while Stefan sits beside Elena.

Done Damon addresses his brother "Need to drink some deputy blood?"

"No. I'm gonna be fine. It's just gonna take a little bit longer," Stefan reasons.

Caroline opens her mouth but Gwen cuts her off "It's Stefan's choice."

Damon rolls his eyes "This is a most unfortunate situation. Two deputies dead and you," He turns to Caroline's mom "What am I gonna do with you?"

Caroline stands eyes on her mom "You won't tell anyone, will you? Mom? Mom? Please. Look, I know that we don't get along and that you hate me but I'm your daughter and you'll do this for me, right?" panic and fear showing on her face "Mom, please. He will kill you."

Gwen is shocked by her mother's reply:

"Then kill me," Her voice sounds defeated "I can't take this anymore. Kill me now."

Damon bends down looking in her eyes "But you were gonna drag it out so painfully," He suddenly grabs her forcing her to stand up.

Stefan, Elena, Caroline and Gwen's voices all mix into one pleading for him not to.

Damon turns to them "Relax guys. No one is killing anybody," He looks back at Caroline's mom "You're my friend, Elizabeth."

They relax and after coming up with a plan head to the Salvatore house. While Caroline goes home gathering her some of mother's clothes. Tired Gwen grabs her things from Damon's room. letting Stefan show her to a already furnished room.

While Damon takes Elizabeth to a basement cell. Her new home for a day. Enough time for the vervain to leaver her system. So that Damon can compel her to forget what happened.

Just as Gwen finishes putting her things away there is a knock "Come in."

Damon walks in a drink in his cup "Decided to stay," Gwen nods "Probably the wise choice" He drinks "Not that I care."

"I'm so tired of this back and forth crap."

"What are you talking about?"

"You," She let's out an annoyed breath "I'm talking about you, with the I don't care words and attitude but then handing me the journal and saving my life," Gwen steps closer "I'm tired of being confused, so if you're mad and don't care then act like it."

Damon takes a second to look at his drink. Aggravating Gwen even more. She releases a sigh.

"Look can't we try to start over? Clean state?"

For a second he doesn't respond thoughts swirling around his head. Just as she is about to say never mind Damon smiles.

"Damon Salvatore at your service."

"Gwen Jordan also at your service," Her lips stretch into a wide smile.

Maybe staying won't be a bad thing

****************

Hmm I wonder if they can be civil towards each other. Would love to hear you're guys thoughts.