14|FOOL ME ONCE

Gemma sits in the study with Damon, her eyebrows drawn together as she stares down at the text messages she's received from Willow. She had never met someone, other than Elena, that was so insistent on getting to know the baggage she carries around with her. She bites back a sarcastic smile when she remembers that it's quite literally Willow's job to pry.

The least you could do is humor me, the therapist sends. Pretend that I'm helping, it's good for my ego.

It's not good for mine, Gemma replies before redirecting her attention elsewhere. Her eyebrows raise in surprise whenever Stefan stalks into the room, his eyes frantic as he obviously has something dwelling on his mind. "Anna took Elena," he blurts.

Damon nods, "yeah, I got that from your 600 voicemails."

"My phone's been off," Gemma lies, shrugging with an emotionless expression. A sigh escapes her lips whenever the device in her hand chimes with an incoming text message. She clears her throat at Stefan's sharp look, "I just turned it back on."

"Guys, all night long, every single street in town, I've been searching. What if Damon's blood hasn't passed out of her system?"

"You obviously haven't searched hard enough if you haven't found her," Gemma tells him. "There's no way Anna's taken her out of Mystic Falls. This isn't a kidnapping, it's leverage."

"Gemma, please," he pleads as he sits down on the sofa next to her. Gemma gives him a strange look but he disregards it, looking at her desperately. "What do you guys know? You were with Anna, you must know where she's living. Just tell me where I can find her."

"Nope," Damon chimes from his seat behind the desk. "You can go, really. Gemma's had a lifetime worth of manipulation. She doesn't need it from you."

"You know, all I can remember is hating you both. There might have been a time when that was different, but your choices have erased anything good about either of you." He continues when he notices that his siblings are both giving him their attention. "But see, I also know you both have just as much reason to hate me, especially you, Gem. This all began with me. Katherine got taken away from you because of me, and I'm sorry."

"Apology accepted," Damon says stiffly.

Gemma gives Stefan a tight smile, looking back down at her phone when it chimes again.

"Please, tell me what you know," the youngest Salvatore pleads again.

Gemma huffs, standing from the couch and shuffling away. Her face contorts into discomfort when Stefan jolts up behind her, grabbing her arm with urgency. She turns in his grasp, grabbing his hand in hers with a soft, sympathetic smile. "You know," she squeezes his palm gently. "Elena really helped me open up after so long. She made me comfortable talking about Katherine, like it was finally right after so long." Stefan nods understandingly, hoping peeking through the curtain of worry in his eyes. "Then she used it against me to decide if she thought Katherine should come back or not." Gemma lets go of Stefan's hand roughly, a cruel smile rising on her lips. "So when I say this, I sincerely mean it. I hope Elena dies."

She turns on her heel and leaves her brothers in the study, ignoring the tight coil of regret in her stomach. She looks down at her phone with a frown, swallowing her pride as she types out a message.

The Grill, half an hour? she asks.

Willow only takes half a minute to reply, See you there.

The female Salvatore sips at her glass of Bourbon, her eyes avoiding the curious gaze that belongs to the blonde sitting across from her. She regrets messaging the woman, regrets reaching out, regrets so much about—

"Why are you drinking?" Willow cocks her head to the side, pursing her lips.

"Why not?"

"Misery needs company, huh?"

Gemma looks at her over the rim of the glass, squinting. "I guess so."

"Okay, spill," Willow commands, drumming her fingertips across the tabletop.

"Um, I went to my father's grave last night," Gemma explains. Willow nods, raising her eyebrows as if to say, Go on. "My brother's girlfriend almost got hurt, so that wasn't pleasant."

The blonde hums, "how'd you feel about visiting his grave? Were you two close?"

"No," Gemma says. "No, we weren't close."

"So, I take it you didn't feel a lot of love visiting him, did you?"

"Well, I didn't cry because I missed him, if that's what you're asking," the vampire says dryly.

"We'll get to that later," Willow waves it off. Gemma gapes at her and the blonde laughs, shifting in her seat. "It's obvious you don't want to talk about your dad, so we'll talk about your brothers girlfriend instead."

"On second thought, we can talk about h--"

"You don't seem upset that she was almost hurt," Willow observes. "Why is that?"

"Why should I be upset?" Gemma leans forward, "she's my brother's girlfriend, not mine. Her safety means nothing to me."

Willow scrutinizes her for a second before nodding, "okay, well, you're lying, but we'll also get to that later."

"I think I want a new therapist," the dark headed woman grumbles, crossing her arms over her chest as she sinks down into her seat.

"I'm not here to coddle you, Gemma," Willow tells her. "I'm here to find out the root of your problems."

Gemma stares at her for a long second, not saying anything.

"Okay," Willow sighs. "Moving on. How many relationships have you had?"

"Define relationships."

"How many times have you been involved with someone romantically?"

"Twice," Gemma replies. "Once, um, with my brother's ex--" she grimaces. "Also, with his best friend."

"Okay, so you guys keep it tight knit, got it," Willow mumbles as she writes in her notepad. "Were they affectionate toward you during the relationship at all?"

"Um," Gemma runs a hand through her hair, shifting nervously. "Katherine and I, my brother's ex, we had to be really secretive. We kissed, and other things, but it's not like we had time for the simplest of affection, you know?"

"What about the other girl?"

"Lexi and I, it was more a friends with benefits kind of thing. It felt awkward crossing that line, so we just didn't."

"What about as a child?" Willow questions, "how often did you get shown affection and were you allowed to reciprocate?"

"Not very often," Gemma says quietly. "Maybe from my mother before she died, but I don't remember much. I remember wanting to be affectionate toward my friends and my brothers but Father just said it wasn't ladylike of me." At Willow's confused look, Gemma reiterates. "We were a very old fashioned family." Willow gives her an encouraging smile and the woman continues, "and after Father found out I liked girls, my actions were watched even more closely. So, what used to be an innocent greeting between two friends, became me trying to turn every girl in our town into a lesbian."

"So he wasn't supportive?"

"Not at all," Gemma mutters. "Even before he found out, he wasn't very kind about who I was as a person."

"Tell me about your relationship with Elena, please," Willow requests.

"What about it?"

"I find it hard to believe that you two haven't had interactions the whole time she's been dating your brother."

"I didn't really like her at first," Gemma relents. "Not because of her, but because I don't usually like letting people in. She was really adamant on getting me to tell her about myself. She was so fearless in the way that she'd pull me into a hug or just ask random questions, like I haven't been hiding some of these answers my whole life. She got me to open up a little bit about Katherine and then she just, uh, she kind of used my answers against me, I guess."

"Have you ever thought that maybe you're upset at her because you let yourself enjoy her affection and attention for the first time?"

"I don't know," Gemma shrugs. "I know that I don't really know what her motives are anymore. I thought she wanted to be my friend, but if she's just using what I tell her for her own agenda, I don't think I want her to be my friend."

"Do you feel like you're unworthy of affection or attention from people you're interested in?"

"Maybe not unworthy," Gemma pauses. "I guess, more like, me receiving that kind of intimacy has never ended well. I mean, Katherine died and..."

"Do you think its your fault?"

"I think she got so wrapped up between me and my brothers that she didn't know she was trusting the wrong people."

"Did your father have a hand in the way those situations would end for you?"

Gemma nods, "um, yeah. It kind of felt like he had eyes everywhere. I mean, one long look at a girl and he'd go crazy."

"I think maybe there are some negative emotions linking affection to your father," Willow says sadly. "What kind of man was your father?"

"Harsh, cold, very unforgiving... forceful." Willow looks at her warily an Gemma shakes her head. "I just mean that things always had to be his way. Even after he knew I was into women, he'd force me to go on dates with the sons of his coworkers. I tried to say no but he was very convincing at times."

"So you felt like you had no control over your life?"

"The only sense of free will I ever had was with Katherine, and even then, we had to sneak around and hide the fact that we were involved. The affection, like I said, was mostly physical... like during, uh, sex."

"So you're not used to simple affection? Like hugs, or someone holding you?"

"No, I guess not."

"What does love look like to you?"

Gemma pauses, "I don't know."

"What do you want love to look like?"

"I just want it to be right," Gemma says softly. "Everything I've ever done has ended so badly. I just want to be happy without the world imploding."

"I've got a challenge for you," Willow starts. "Do one thing, one small thing that makes you happy before our next session. If the world's still intact, count that as a win."

The last person Gemma thought she'd see that evening was Anna, specifically; she didn't think the little brat was brave enough to show her face after kidnapping Elena. Guess I was wrong, the Salvatore thinks to herself. She trudges down the sidewalk toward the bench Anna's sitting on, Gemma's eyebrows raising whenever she sees Jeremy leaving the girls side with a large smile.

"I have to say," Gemma muses as she plops down beside the girl. "If you're gonna kidnap him too, a warning would be nice. My brother's in quite the mood because of you."

"You know," Anna smirks. "High school kids are having a party next to the old cemetery. Isnt that nice of them? Lots of warm bodies for starving vampires."

Gemma blinks, pointing to herself with a questioning stare. "Are you talking to me?" Anna rolls her eyes while Gemma continues her antics, the Salvatore having a faux confused expression. "I'm— I'm confused on if you're talking to me because you're acting like I care if all of those kids die."

Anna looks taken aback, "you wouldn't?"

Gemma lets her head loll back against the bench, sighing heavily. "They'll all die one day," she says. "Might as well be today."

"You're morbid," Anna snarks.

"Yeah, well," Gemma shrugs.

"Your brothers minus a witch and I'm minus a spell book," Anna begins. "You think he'd be up for it?"

Gemma looks at the girl, "definitely not. He's only teaming up with Stefan; when he comes after you for taking Elena."

"Then he won't be happy if I kill her when I don't get what I want." Anna stands up and starts walking away from the bench, stopping in her tracks whenever she hears Gemma shifting on the bench.

"You're bluffing," Gemma calls her out.

"Am I?" Anna cocks her head to the side. "I've got nothing to lose, Gemma. If killing Elena is my death sentence, at least I did it trying to save my mother."

The female Salvatore hesitates, shaking her head. "I'll convince him," she says quietly.

Anna laughs, "God, it's like 1864 all over again. You Salvatore's are truly pathetic when it comes to women. Tonight, after sun down. Meet me at the church."

"Yes ma'am," Gemma mocks.

Anna shoots her a look over her shoulder and disappears into the night, leaving a feeling of dread settling in Gemma's stomach behind her.

Gemma Salvatore was on edge. She hadn't fed in days, Damon was being a dick because she coerced him into a deal with Anna, and Willow would not stop messaging her inspirational quotes about moving forward from past trauma. The woman rests her head in the palm of her hands, her eyes stinging as a wave of exhaustion crashes over her.

Footsteps enter the room and the female Salvatore stiffens, a sweet vanilla scent wafting in the air.

"Elena," she greets, looking up. "It's nice to see that you're a free woman."

"Stefan," Elena fills her in tersely.

Gemma hums, nodding. She stands from the chair and grabs her jacket hanging over the back of it. "I figured. He has that whole white knight thing going on, doesn't he?"

"I convinced Bonnie to help Damon," the Gilbert blurts.

Gemma raises her eyebrows, "that's nice of the witch."

Elena rounds the desk Gemma was resting on and faces the woman, "I'm not gonna say that I'm sorry we got the grimoire without you and Damon last night, because I'm not really."

Gemma purses her lips, a bitter feeling swelling in her chest the longer she stares at the girl. Her eyes narrow and she nods, "at least you're honest. That's almost redeeming enough."

"I was protecting the people I love, Gemma. But so were you, I guess. You just wanted Damon to be happy and I understand how far you were willing to go for him."

"God, you—" Gemma groans, pinching the bridge of her nose as the pain in her head flares up. "You are dense if you think this is about the grimoire or Damon, of all people!"

"What is this about then?" Elena exclaims, confusion gracing her features.

"This is about Katherine!" Gemma cries, "this is about the way that you've pretended to be interested in my past with her so you could report it all back to Stefan!"

Elena gapes, shaking her head wildly as she stalks closer to Gemma. "No, no, that— I never did that, Gemma!"

"So, the day that you and Stefan went rogue, those questions about Katherine meant nothing?"

Elena looks down, "I— of course I wanted to know if it was safe for her to come back, but I do love hearing about your past, Gemma. I love getting to know who you are."

Gemma squints at her, "you think you know me? We've spent all of five minutes together, Elena. You don't know anything about me."

"I know that you're good," the human says firmly.

"No, you—"

"Okay, when we were in Atlanta, why didn't you use your compulsion on me?"

Gemma scoffs, raising her eyebrows. "That's your definition of good? Your standards must be low."

"I know you didn't use your compulsion. But you could have." Elena shuffles closer, peering up at Gemma. "You and I, we have something—"

"No," Gemma croaks, shaking her head.

"I know that my betrayal hurt you. It couldn't have been easy dealing with that and seeing your father again all in one night. But I promise you, Gemma, this time it's for real."

The female Salvatore looks at her warily, "Elena—"

The human sighs and reaches behind her neck, unclamping her necklace filled with vervain. She sets it down on the desk beside them, giving Gemma an expectant look. "Ask me if I'm lying now."

Gemma stares at her before shaking her head, grabbing the necklace and moving forward to clasp it back around Elena's neck. "Don't take it off," she tells the girl. "I didn't compel you in Atlanta because I wanted to feel normal, and I knew you could help me do that."

The Gilbert looks at her surprised, watching as Gemma slips into her jacket.

"Come on," the Salvatore says quietly. "Let's go."

"Wait," Elena clasps Gemma's arm in between her hands, pulling the woman whenever they get deeper into the woods.

Gemma raises her eyebrows, silently questioning the girl.

"The Duke party," Elena explains, angling her chin toward the small lanterns scattered around the ground so people could see as they walked. "I hope they stay clear of the church."

"If they're stupid enough to go to church ruins in the middle of the night, they deserve it," Gemma grumbles. She removes herself from Elena's grip, a loud groan of annoyance escaping her lips whenever two teenagers bound up to them in excitement.

"Elena, hey!" A blond, blue eyed boy chirp.

"Elena," Caroline chimes. "Oh, my God, how have you been?"

Gemma scoffs under her breath whenever the blonde links her fingers with the boy, her eyes narrowed in obvious suspicion of Elena and the teenager. "Elena," the Salvatore murmurs, nudging the girl. "We've gotta go."

"Excuse me," Caroline smiles dryly. "I'm talking to her."

"Were you?" Gemma ventures. "I thought I heard something."

"Hey," Matt interrupts she and Caroline's tense gazes. "I'm Matt."

"I know," Gemma looks at his outstretched hand with a blank stare. "I met you the night your sister disappeared."

Elena tenses next to the woman, giving her a warning look at the mention of Vicki.

"Oh," Matt swallows thickly.

"Sorry for your loss," the vampire says stiffly. "Elena, can we—?"

"Yes, yeah," Elena nods and starts to shuffle away, giving her friends a remorseful smile whenever Gemma shoves her along more forcefully. "Why are you determined to get to the tomb?" The Gilbert asks, peering up at the woman. "It's almost like you're rushing."

"The sooner we get this over with, the better," Gemma grumbles. "God knows I'll have to have another therapy session after Katherine Pierce is unleashed."

Elena blinks, surprised. "You go to therapy?"

Gemma pauses, "yes."

"Why?"

The vampire looks at her strangely, "I've been alive for over a century, I liked girls during the 1800's, the only two lovers I've ever had died or were taken from me, and we're about bring one of them back to be with my brother."

"What about the woman you were at The Grill with the other day?" Elena questions.

"What about her?"

"You said you've only had two, but you were out with her."

Gemma grins, amused. "Her name's Willow."

Elena shoves her hands into her pockets while they walk, her eyes lowering. "Cute name."

"Mhm."

Elena quickens her pace as they approach the tomb, glancing at Gemma over her shoulder to make sure the woman was still following. The pair both stop whenever they meet Damon at the entrance, the raven haired vampire looking chipper.

"Little sister," he greets. "Elena."

Gemma rolls her eyes and brushes past him, striding straight into the ruins of the church. Damon and Elena follow after her, the eldest Salvatore whistling to announce his arrival.

"Brother," he greets Stefan. "Witches."

"Everything okay?" Stefan murmurs to Elena, looking her over for any injuries when she gravitates over to his side.

"I just want to get this over with," she grumbles. "Are we ready?"

Gemma moves forward to stand by Damon's side, annoyance washing over her. "I don't understand why I have to be here," she tells him.

"Moral support."

"We're ready," Sheila voices. She begins lighting the four torches surrounding them, announcing each element as she does so. "Air, earth, fire—"

"Water," Bonnie holds up a water bottle and Shiela takes it from her, sprinkling the water on the ground.

"That's it?" Elena wonders, "just water from the tap?"

"As opposed to what?" Sheila asks.

"I just figured maybe it would have to be blessed or mystical or something."

Sheila smirks at the girl, her eyes flitting to Gemma with a small smile whenever the female Salvatore snickers.

Damon pulls a blood bag out and unravels it, his eyes bright.

"What's that?" Stefan furrows his eyebrows.

"It's for Katherine," Damon says. "Gotta have something to get her going. Unless your girl's offering a vein to tap." Stefan gives him a blank look and Damon lets out a small laugh, "admit it, you can't wait to get rid of me."

"I can't wait to get rid of you," Stefan says bluntly.

Gemma glares at Stefan and turns her back, looking away from her two brothers.

"What are they saying?" Damon asks, watching the two witches chant incantations.

Gemma had since moved around the tomb, standing directly across from Elena, their faces illuminated by the torches.

"Sounds Latin," Stefan tells his brother.

Elena shakes her head, her eyebrows drawn together. "I don't think it's Latin." After a few more moments of the two witches chanting, the torches flare up, causing Elena to latch into Stefan's arm in fear. "What's happening?"

"The world's ending," Gemma deadpans. "What do you think?"

The door to the tomb creak open and the Bennett's stop changing, the younger witch slumping in relief.

"It worked!" She gasps.

"Of course it worked," Sheila says proudly.

Damon leans over to Stefan, his eyes darting to Gemma as well. "We have some fires to build."

"I'm not doing that," she tells him.

Stefan rolls his eyes, giving his sister a sarcastic look. "I'll go get the stuff. You stay here and try not to let anything go wrong."

"Sure, sure," she nods. "Just as soon as you stop being a dick."

Elena huffs, folding her arms across her chest. "Do you guys have to do this now?"

Gemma grits her teeth but falls silent, averting her eyes to one of the torches.

Stefan smiles tightly at his girlfriend, gently touching her on the shoulder. "I'm gonna go get the gasoline, I'll be right back."

Stefan ascends the stairs and disappears from sight, leaving Elena alone with his siblings and the Bennett witches. Gemma notes that her brother has a lot of trust in two people he wants gone.

Damon looks from Bonnie to Sheila for a quick second before moving forward, facing Elena. "You ready?"

Gemma straightens up from where she was leaning against the stone wall, her face set into a grimace. "What are you doing, Damon?"

Damon sends the two witches an accusing look, "You think I'm gonna go in there by myself so you can seal me in?" He grabs Elena by the arm.

"Don't take her in," Sheila warns. "I'll bring the walls down."

"You'll bring the walls down if I don't," he counters. "You think I trust you?"

"As much as I trust you."

"Enough," Elena snaps. "Both of you. Look, he needs leverage. He needs to know that you're not going to shut the door when he gets inside. I get it. I'll go."

Gemma shakes her head, rounding the torches to get a clear view of Elena's face. She searches the human girl's expression, her lips pressed into a thin line. "You don't have to do this," she says.

"Yes, she does," Damon tightens his grip on Elena's arm.

"She's not a rag doll," Gemma tells him darkly, panic slithering down her spine. "You don't have to grab her like that."

Damon hesitantly lets go of the Gilbert and grabs a torch, "May I?"

Elena gives Gemma a reassuring look and follows Damon into the tomb, leaving the Salvatore woman alone and filled to the brim with lead.

"You care about her," Shiela infers.

Gemma spins in her heel, giving the witch a pointed look. "I don't," she sniffs. "Not that it's any of your business."

Sheila gives the vampire a stern look, "don't talk to me that way, Miss Salvatore."

Gemma gazes at the dark skinned woman for a second before clearing her throat, nodding stiffly. "Sorry," she says. Sheila gives her a look and the Salvatore flushes, "ma'am."

Bonnie muffles a giggle by pressing her palm onto her mouth, looking between Gemma and Sheila with great amusement.

"You think it's funny?" Gemma narrows her eyes.

Bonnie shrugs with a small smile, "it is. Aren't you older than Grams?"

Gemma pauses before nodding, "yes, I am."

Sheila crosses her arms, challenging Gemma with her eyes.

"But," the vampire shifts uncomfortably. "That doesn't mean anything, of course."

Sheila nods at the girl, turning around and beginning to look over the grimoire as if it never happened. Gemma looks at the woman strangely before doing the same, facing the tomb with a stoic expression.

"Hey!" Bonnie shouts. Gemma's eyes snap open and she jolts away from the wall, her eyes frantically searching for any sign of danger. A huff escapes her lips whenever sees Anna, the girl looking at Bonnie firmly. "You're not going in there!"

"You think you can stop me?" Anna retorts.

"Gemma can," the witch says.

Gemma raises her eyebrows, watching the scene unfold silently.

"Bonnie," Grams shakes her head, pulling Bonnie to the side to allow the girl to pass. Anna grabs a flashlight from the ground and runs into the tomb. Bonnie wastes no time in turning to her grandmother with an incredulous look. "Why did you let her go in?"

Sheila gives Gemma a remorseful look before sighing, "Because she isn't coming out, baby. None of them are."

Gemma moves forward, "what? What did you say?"

"I'm sorry—"

"My brother is in there!" She yells, her eyes wide. Anxiety creeps down her spine and her stomach fills with lead, her hands curling into fists at her sides. "I— I have to—"

Bonnie grabs her by the arm whenever she tries to rush into the tomb, the Bennett witch not letting up on her grip. "Gemma, no!"

"If you go in there, you won't come out," Sheila says.

Gemma yanks her arm out of Bonnie's grip, fisting her hair in between her shaking hands. "What did you do?" She breathes, her lips trembling. "What did you do?!"

Sheila remains calm, looking at the vampire with a stoic expression. "Opening the door didn't remove the seal, it just opened the door."

"So, what's the seal?"

"Some seals keep vampires from entering. This one keeps them from coming out."

Gemma rolls her lips, swallowing the lump in her throat as she wraps her arms around herself. "But my brother," she croaks.

"I told you," Sheila begins. "I will protect my own. Elena can get out. That's all that matters."

"That's not all that matters," Gemma cries. "I—"

Everything stills when a shriek pierces the air, Gemma's skin prickling as she listens. Elena's begs and pleads fill her ears and she inhales sharply, her chest tightening. She moves toward the tomb again and Bonnie makes a noise of protest. "I have to," she says to the witch.

One small thing that makes you happy.

Gemma rushes into the tomb, her eyes slamming closed when the dark cave blinds her. She braces her hands against the wall, straining her ears to listen.

"No, please don't!" Elena screams.

Gemma exhales slowly and pushes off with her feet, finding Elena in record time. The Salvatore opens her eyes and grabs Anna, ripping her off of the human. She grabs Elena and yanks her closer, spinning her around and pushing her toward the exit of the tomb. "Go," she urges the girl, pressing a heavy hand to her back. "Go, I'm right behind you!"

Gemma blindly follows Elena, trusting that the girl isn't crippled by what Anna did to her. She sees light up ahead and she sighs in relief, watching as Elena exits the tomb and makes it back to her friend. Gemma shuffles along the ground slowly, lingering the in the entrance way of the tomb.

Bonnie frowns sadly, "Gemma..."

Stefan comes down the stairs of the tomb, his face twisted up in confusion when he notices the sad atmosphere of the group. "What's going on?"

"Gemma—"

"She's right behind me," Elena reassures Bonnie. She turns and looks at Gemma, tilting her head to the side. "Gemma, what are you doing?"

"It's gonna be okay," Bonnie says. "We'll fix it."

Stefan moves closer to the witches, "fix what?"

Gemma clears her throat, "I'm not coming out, Elena."

"Not coming out?" The human blinks, "what do you mean?"

"The spell's still up," Bonnie tells Elena. "We can't get them out yet."

Elena gapes, moving closer to Gemma, just a few feet away from the woman. "You went in there not knowing if you could come back out?"

Gemma doesn't reply, giving the girl a weak shrug.

"Oh, my God." Elena chokes out.

Gemma tries to move forward to console the girl but winces whenever the barrier stops her, all the air leaving her lungs as she watches the human fill to the brim with guilt. "Elena, it's okay," she assures the girl. "I'll be fine."

"You won't!" She exclaims. "You're stuck because of me and—"

"Elena," Gemma pleads with the girl, her lungs squeezing painfully as her panic increases. "Please, calm down. I can't—" she sends a helpless look to Stefan, her eyes stinging.

Gemma was never able to handle stress well. Albeit hers or someone elses, she always caved under pressure rather quickly.

"Even if we're able to break through the seal, we won't be able to hold it for long," Sheila informs them.

Gemma nods, "I'll go find Damon. I'll be right back."

"Gemma—!" Elena lurches forward.

Stefan yanks her back, giving her a firm look. "Elena, let her go. She'll be fine."

Gemma watches the scene, confused. It weighs on her as she turns to walk back into the tomb, letting her senses find Damon. She can hear him in the distance, strangled cries falling from his lips as he looks for Katherine. Fear, anger and irritation rolling off of him in waves as he fails to see the love of his life.

"Damon," she whispers, coming up behind him. He stiffens at her voice but doesn't stop looking for Katherine, his hands shaking. "Damon, please—"

"She's not here," he says.

Gemma moves closer to him, studying his face. "Damon—

"She's not here," he says more loudly.

Gemma halts, "what?"

Damon pulls out the bag blood and throws it at the wall, the blood splattering across the stone. "She's not here!" His voice cracks with anguish, his face twisting up as furious tears well in his eyes.

Gemma looks at him, gently grasping his shoulder to ground the man. "I'm here. Okay? I'm here, and we need to leave."

"It doesn't make sense," he mumbles. "They locked her inside."

"Damon," she says strongly. "We need to get out, right now. If we don't leave now, we're not leaving at all."

"How could she not be in here?" He searches Gemma's face as if she has the answers.

"Katherine Pierce is not worth spending all of eternity down here!" Gemma snaps, gripping Damon's shoulder more tightly. He looks at her, shocked, and she continues. "I cared about her too, but if she lied— the way you feel for her means nothing. Do not let her ruin the rest of your life because you're searching for a feeling she can't give you anymore."

Damon shakes his head slowly, "no—"

Gemma tenses whenever Elena rushes into the small section she and Damon are standing in, the human's eyes wide with worry. "Gemma, it has to be now."

"Damon," Gemma calls softly, ignoring Elena's peering eyes. "Dee, look at me." She grabs his face, forcing his gaze to meet hers. He looks at her, unfocused and hurt, but gives her his attention none the less. "There he is," she breathes. "Let it go. Just let it go, okay? I'm here and I'm not leaving you. Let me help you, alright? Let me carry this for you."

Damon clenches his jaw, reaching up to remove her hands from his shoulders. He pauses before lacing his fingers with hers and silently leading she and Elena out of the tomb. They make it to the center of the church ruins, the witches looking worse for wear as they stop chanting the moment they make it.

Gemma lets Damon's hand slip from hers as he ascends the stairs and disappears from their sight, obviously needing a moment.

"Gem," Elena grabs the woman's arm. "You okay?"

Gemma nods jerkily, breathing slowly as she tries to soothe the way her heart palpitates. "I'm good," she rasps. "I need to—" she motions to the stairs. "I need to find him."

Elena looks at the girl for a short second leaning up on her tip toes, wrapping her arms around Gemma's trembling shoulders. The female Salvatore freezes, her hands lingering at her sides. She meets Stefan's eyes from behind Elena and he smiles tightly, giving her a small nod.

If the world's still intact, count that as a win.

Gemma closes her eyes and returns Elena's gesture, "thank you," she murmurs.

"Always, Gemma."

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