Glitch in the Refletion

El was sprawled out on her bed, completely unresponsive. Her phone went off dozens of times but still no movement. It almost seemed like her body was forcing the doppelganger to stay asleep till she replenished all her energy. There was a good chance she would have slept through the entire day if Caroline Forbes had not slammed her door open.

“El!” As Caroline announced herself, screaming once the door was open. El yelped at the sudden noise as she tripped over her sheets and fell to the ground with a thump.

Popping up, her eyes adjusting to the harsh light as Care opened her curtains. “I’m up, I’m up!” Brushing her hair out of her face as she stumbled to her feet, she came face to face with Caroline who was tapping her foot with her arms crossed in her swimsuit. “Shit…the car wash….”

“Yes, the car wash!” The blonde repeated. “It starts in thirty minutes and you’re not even ready.”

Bringing her hands together, El pursed her lips before bringing them into a smile. “I will get ready right now and then meet you downstairs in ten.”

"Fine. But if you're not, Me and Dasher are leaving without you." Caroline uncrossed her arms, while giving the girl a minor glare.

"And that is completely reasonable." The witch smiled, hoping to get back on Care's good side.

Her eyes just narrowed even more. "Ten minutes." Quickly, Caroline turned on her heels, shutting the door as she left. Leaving El to get ready for the car wash.

—-------

“Why do I need to wear these?” Dasher chewed on the bootie that was on his left front paw.

“Don’t chew on that.” El said, turning her body to look at him from the front seat, pushing his mouth away from the shoe. “And you’re wearing them to keep your feet from burning.”

The husky whined. “How bout a magic?”

The witch snorted. “I’m not spelling your paws.”

“How do you do that?” Caroline asked, eyes still on the road as they drove down to the car wash. “You always seem to know what he’s thinking.”

El turned back in her seat, now facing the road. Leaning her head on the head rest, she glanced at the blonde with an amused glint in her eye. “Maybe cause I’m just an amazing dog mom.”

“Really?” Caroline didn’t believe her. “And it has nothing to do with you being a witch?”

“Maybe. Maybe not.” 

“That’s cryptic.”

The doppelganger snorted. “Like you said, I’m a witch. Witches are supposed to be cryptic. It’s part of our charm.”

“I thought witches were supposed to be bitches?” The blonde driving turned her head to glance at the brunette before looking back onto the road.

“That too.” El didn’t deny it, it’s well known in the supernatural world that witches seemed to always have sticks up their asses. Probably because they constantly stick their ideologies down others' throats, being the ‘servants of nature’ and all that. “That’s a lot of cars…” She changed topics once she saw the line parked in front of the school.

Caroline pulled into her designated spot, parking the car. “It’s the Sexy Suds Car Wash.” 

“Mystic Falls definitely had a problem with sexualling kids.” The witch mumbled under her breath, wondering how that name got past the principal. 

“What was that?” Care was already out of the car, opening the back door to let Dasher out.

El quickly unbuckled her seat belt. “Nothing, Princess.” Getting out of the car, she pulled her shirt off and placed it on her seat, leaving her in jean shorts and a black bikini top. Shutting the door she saw Carlone staring at her back. “Is there something on my back?”

“You have a tattoo…” She said quietly, not believing it.

“Oh!” Elena turned her head over her shoulder to try (and fail) to get a glimpse of the bird that decorated her shoulder blade. “Yeah, I got it after the accident. It’s a phoenix, you know. Rise from the ashes and all that.”

“That’s…”

“Dark, I know. Jenna said the same thing.”

“Beautiful.”

Once again, Caroline caused her face to turn into a tomato. “...thanks…” El cleared her throat. “So-that-uh-car wash.”

“Right! Car wash.” It was funny, they both knew that the feelings were mutual, but the fact that they hadn't discussed what was going to happen with themselves, made them even more susceptible to terrible, but cute, flirting.

“Caroline, there you are!” Some girl from the cheer squad came up to the two. “Thank god, we need your help.” The girl began leading Care from El who just waved with a giggle as her Princess was dragged away. As she was focused on the blonde girl, someone cleared their throat causing the girl to turn around.

“Hi.” Stefan smiled.

“Stefan.” Elena deadpanned. “When I said I was okay with being 'your friend one day’, I didn’t mean today.”

“No, I know.” He shuffled his feet. “But I was hoping we could at least be civil, since we’re…” He didn’t want to say anything that would alert anyone around.

“The only one’s in town that’s special.” She put air quotes around the last word. Pressing her lips together at his puppy dog eyes, she threw her head back and groaned. “Fine. Hand me that stupid bucket.”

He had the audacity to laugh. “Here.” When she snatched it away, it was then he noticed Dasher, who was staring at him with a look that could kill. “I-uh…don’t think your dog likes me very much.”

“He doesn’t!” El called over her shoulder, already walking to the next car in line.

—-------

Over where Bonnie stood, hose in hand, she noticed Matt looking over at the two supernatural creatures with longing. “Uh-uh, no. None of that tortured pining stuff.”

Matt shook his head. “I'm just observing.”

“Mm-hmm.” Bonnie didn’t believe him.

“Do you know what’s going up with those two?” The human finally asked, the question having plaguing his mind since he’d seen the two interact. “It’s like one minute they're talking, then next she’s ignoring him, and now it seems they're fine. I don’t get it.”

“I told you once before, I’m not getting in the middle of this.” The Bennett witch said, reminding him what she told him before.

“Bonnie, please.” He begged a little. “Elena snapped at me the other day, I just want to know if it’s because of Stefan.”

Her brows furrowed. “She snapped at you, that doesn’t sound like her. Are you sure?”

“She basically yelled at me in front of the entire Grill after I asked her if she wanted to play pool.” He shrugged, trying to seem like the innocent one in the story.

She didn’t know whether to believe him or not, but the difference in her friend from before the accident to now has been noticeable. Maybe it was something Elena would do. This Elena, at least. However, she wasn’t able to comment on what Matt had said since Tiki walked up to them. 

“Oh. Tiki. this one's yours.”

—-------

Back with El, Stefan and Dasher. Dasher was messing around with a puddle next to the jeep they were watching, El was giggling as she watched her husky barely paying attention to said jeep, and Stefan was doing most of the work.

“So-” El quickly turned her attention to Stefan. “-how’s it going with Caroline?” He nodded his head slightly to where Care was gathering money from the townspeople.

“Just because I’m actively not being hostile, doesn't mean I want to make small talk.” El couldn’t help but be amused. It was funny trying to see him constantly try to get on her good side and watch it backfire half the time.

“I am trying to get to know you.” Even he knew he was starting to sound like a broken record. “Because I do want to be your friend or at least be an ally.”

“So you said.” She moved back her focus to the car. However, noticing how awkward the vampire was now acting, the witch took pity. “We’re talking later tonight.”

“Mama! More water!” Dasher yipped, wanting a bigger puddle to play in. Giving into his request, El sprayed more water at Dasher.

"That's some ring." Stefan pointed out.

She glanced down and spotted the ring with the big yellow stone looking back up at her. "Yeah, well, I can say the same for you."

This time it was Stefan who glanced down, spotting his ring. "Katherine made it, it helps me walk in the sun. But you already know that."

"I also know it's your family's crest and it's made from Lapis Lazuli." She will never not think of Minecraft when mentioning that stupid stone.

"I never asked-" His movements paused. "-how much of the story do you…?"

The witch clicked her tongue. "Honestly, more than you, but frankly we can't really talk about it in public. Unless you wanna get staked by the Council."

"It's still active?"

"It's never not been active." El informed him, watching Caroline at the service table about 20 feet away. She should be walking to find Damon now, why isn't she walking to find Damon? "Shit." It just hit her.

"What?" Stefan's brows folden in on themselves. "What's wrong?"

Should she keep Damon locked up? It definitely be the safest option, but if he stays locked up the story won't continue how it's supposed to. She's already screwing things up, but those have been meticulously planned out to a T. Everything El had done since she came has been to make sure the original Elena Gilbert family doesn't die and for the world not to go to shit.

But in her plans, Damon is always somehow in the corner of the room pushing her buttons, she needs him near. While she may have wanted Stefan to be an ally, she actually needed Damon.

Well, that definitely puts a damper on her victory.

"Nothing wrong." Lie. "I just realized something." Not a lie. "If you'd excuse me." Not waiting for the vampire's response, she stalked over to Caroline. "Princess."

Caroline's face lit up. "Hey, how's it going?"

"I need to leave." El winced as the words left her mouth.

"What, why?" The blonde asked, El promised she'd help the whole day, why was she backing out now? However it only took the witch making a face for Care to understand why. "Ugh, now?"

"I know it's bad timing." El basically clasped into herself, grabbing Care's hands as she did so. "But you know if it wasn't important I would stay."

"I know." The human basically whined. "But I was looking forward to this."

"I'll make it up to you, I promise." El stretched out the last word.

“...fine.” Caroline pouted. 

“You’re the best!” Without thinking, the doppelganger kissed Care’s cheek and left, leaving the blonde a blushing, sputtering mess.

—-------

Knowing that it was going to be a pretty far walk, instead of heading over to the boarding house first, El and Dasher made it back home so they could pick up her (off-brand Vespa) scooter so they could drive to the Boarding House. 

After changing into better clothes, she left Dasher in the house and took off down the street. It was only about fifthteen minutes later that she pulled up the Salvatore’s. Placing her helmet on the seat, she headed to the back entrance of the house.

She was thankful that before Canon started that she visited the property once when Zach had to leave for a few days. Now that she thought about it, she was glad neither of the Salvatore’s found her snooping that day, she would not know how to explain that.

Slowly, El took hold of the doorknob, twisting it. Once she knew it wasn’t locked, she pushed forward, cringing when the door squeaked. Praying that Zach didn’t hear anything, she opened it just enough for her to slide through. Not bothering to close the door since it was still light out, she made her way through the house and down the stairs to the basement. 

The lights were dim and the cold made her arms shiver. “What kinda horror movie scene is this?” She mumbled to herself. “Just because their vamps, doesn’t mean they have to make their house so damn cold.”

“Hello?”

It was Damon. The voice was faint, and it definitely sounded delirious, but there was no mistaking that voice. “Damon?” El whispered, needing him to speak up again. The house was like a maze, she should have known only one time in the house wouldn’t be enough.

“El? El!”

“Shhhh!” She almost yelled once she made it to the bars. “Are you trying to get me caught?”

“What are you doing here?” He blinked repeatedly, trying to keep the sweat out of his eyes.

“What do you think, jackass?” She glanced behind her making sure the cost was clear. “I’m here to get you out.”

Groaning, the vampire clumsy pushed himself off the floor. “Why? You hate me. You threatened me on numerous occasions. You literally snapped my leg.”

He wasn’t wrong. “Yeah, well, you deserved it.” She took hold of the locking mechanism. “Listen, if I open this door you can not tell anyone that I let you out and once you get your Daylight ring back you and I need to talk.”

“And why would I do that?” Even desiccating, he still wanted the upper hand.

Too bad he never had it. “Cause I can open the tomb.”

Not even a second later, he used the last reminder of his vamp speed to zap towards the bars, making a hung clattering noise. “How the hell do you know about that?”

“That’s for me to know and for you to dot, dot, dot.” She took his words. “So, I help you, you help me. Do we have a deal?”

“Hey!”

It was Zach, he must’ve heard the door. 

Quickly she looked back at Damon. “Do we have a deal!”

“Yes, fine! It’s a deal! Get me out of here!”

Zach rounded the corner just as El lifted the lock. “No, dont!”

“Sorry.” She looked at the human before swinging the door open and booking down the hall she came from and basically diving out of the backdoor. Scrambling back up, she could just faintly hear the dying screams that came from Damon’s nephew.

More blood that laid on her hands.      

It’s kill or be killed, Jamie Parker thought to herself, hoping it’ll make her feel better about her actions. Emptying her brain, she made it back to her scooter and rode off. Leaving the Boarding House in her rearview mirror. 

—-------

Back at the Car wash, Stefan just noticed El never made it back and that she didn’t seem to be there anymore. Wanting answers, he walked up to Caroline who was packing up the money box.

“Hey, have you seen El?” He asked.

But for some reason, instead of Caroline answering the question (that was directed at her), Matt somehow overheard and took the liberty to answer. “No, not for a while.”

Head whipping around, the blonde stared daggers at the man. Why did it seem like every single teenage male was falling for her El. It was getting ridiculous! “Okay one- that question was not for you. And two-” She looked back at the vampire. “-I thought El made it clear she didn’t want anything to do with you. So please, stop being so desperate. Both of you!” Shutting the money box with more force than necessary, she stomped her way back to the school. 

—-------

It was becoming a habit that instead of going home, El would go to Caroline’s. She could guess how the habit started to form, but she didn’t want to dwell on that at the moment. Besides, the two teenage girls were supposed to talk about what was happening between them. Tonight.

With her helmet tucked under her arm, she got up to the door and knocked.

A few seconds later, the Sheriff opened the door. “Elena, hi. How are you?”

“I’m doing good, Sheriff. You?” El asked, walking into the house after she was gestured to come in.

She pulled a face before scolding it back to a smile. “Oh you know, same old-same old. Caroline’s up in her room, you can just head on up.”

Giving her her thanks, El made it up the stairs and down the hall only to knock again.

“Go away, Mom.”

“It’s me.”

The noise that came from the room followed by something falling over made the witch’s lips pull up in a smile, amused by the obvious fluster spiral the blonde was going through.

“El!” The bedroom door swung open.

“Hey, Princess.” El basically whispered.

The two stood face to face, finally alone. Just completely alone with each other. No supernatural drama, no families, just them.

“Um-”

El didn’t even get to finish her thought, when Caroline basically went ‘fuck it’. Taking the doppelganger’s face in her hands, Caroline brought her in close and kissed her. El’s brain was the equivalent of a computer short circuit. 

Once it finally rebooted, her hands came to the blonde’s waist and pulled her till the two girls were pressed together. The two kissed in the doorway for what seemed like hours, only pulling apart to breathe once their air supply ran out. Resting their foreheads against the others.

“Nice talk.” El mumbled, eyes still shut.

Care’s eyes fluttered open. Seeing the look on El’s face made her kiss her again, only this time softer. Less needy. The doppelganger, feeling the affection in the kiss, started to smile into it.

Slowly, the two girls backed into the room with the door shutting, cutting them off from the rest of the world. At Least for a little while.

—-------

Somewhere, on the other side of America, a man with reddish-blonde curls paced around his office, with his computer opened on the desk to a certain website.

C.R.A.I.G.S.L.I.S.T.