"I found it," Gloria announced, drawing Lucy's attention to her.

"Well, where is it?" Rebekah demanded.

"It doesn't work like that. I get images that's all. I'll have to go back in."

"So, do it," Klaus said.

"It will take time," Gloria insisted.

"We'll wait." Klaus's jaw was tight and Lucy could tell he was reaching the end of his patience.

"I'm sure you would, but you're harshing my ju-ju." Gloria waved a hand through the air in dismissal.

"Let's go. We can come back later," Stefan suggested, patting Klaus on the back. "Besides I'm hungry."

"The girl can stay. I can use her help."

Klaus looked as if he wanted to argue as his gaze darted between Lucy and the witch. Rebekah elbowed him in the side. "Fine. We'll return later. Nothing had better happen to her. Do you understand, witch?"

"I understand. Now get out."

Klaus kissed Lucy's temple then the three of them left.

"I think it time you and I had a chat." Gloria gestured to the chair across from her.

Lucy sat cautiously, not entirely trusting the witch. She reached out and grasped Lucy's hands in her own. "That hybrid half-breed compelled you. I can help."

She thought about protesting. About pulling her hands away and leaving, but then she remembered the letter in her pocket. "Okay."

"Close your eyes. This may hurt but it will go away after a moment."

Lucy gave a slight nod and closed her eyes. She sucked in a breath and held it, preparing herself. The other woman began to recite the words for the spell in a soft voice. A tingling sensation ran through Lucy's body as if it were waking up from being asleep for too long. Another moment later and excruciating pain tore through her head. Lucy screamed as her body convulsed. She tried to rip her hands away from the witch but the woman held on with an unnatural strength.

Finally, the pain eased and Lucy felt like she could breathe again. "What did you..." She didn't complete the sentence as emotion swamped her. Aggravation. Fear. And love. So much love. Love for Elijah. But most of all, love for Damon.

Lucy pressed the back of her hand to her mouth as a sob left her. The things she'd done to him, said to him. He must be heartbroken. And Elijah. She'd just left him daggered on Klaus's say so. Fuck him. Even as she had the thought, part of her felt bad for the hybrid. She was furious with him for compelling her, but she couldn't deny that he had been genuinely kind to her. That didn't mean she was going to let this shit continue.

"Thank you," she told Gloria.

The other woman smiled and patted Lucy's hands. "You're welcome, child."

"I need to make a call."

"I thought you might. You go right ahead."

She pulled out her phone, her hands shaking. She stepped away from the table as she called Damon. He answered on the second ring. "Yeah?"

Lucy smiled. He never checked to see who was calling. "Damon." That was all she got out before she began to tear up.

"Lucy?" The shock was evident in his voice. "Are you okay? Has something happened?"

"I am so sorry." And with those words she could no longer hold back her sorrow. Her shoulders shook with her sobs.

"Has something happened to Stefan?"

She shook her head even though he couldn't see. She sucked in a breath as she struggled to gain control of her emotions. Damon kept spouting questions that she was unable to answer in her present state. Finally, she calmed enough to talk to him. "Damon," she said again, stopping his rambling. She waited until he fell silent to speak again. "I love you."

The silence stretched. When he spoke, his voice cracked with emotion. "Could you repeat that, please?"

Lucy let out a watery laugh. "I love you, Damon Salvatore."

"Thank fuck you're back, baby. God, I missed you."

"I missed me, too. And I missed you. Even though I didn't know you were what was missing, I felt it."

"Where are you? I'll come get you."

"We're still in Chicago, but I can't just leave. Not without Stefan and Elijah."

"Damn it, Lucy. It is not your job to save everyone. Stefan can take care of himself and Elijah is fine for the moment. Just come home." Irritation and fear were heavy in his tone.

"I can't, Damon. I'm back. All of me. That means I don't leave my friends behind. I'll be home as soon as I can." She hung up without giving him a chance to reply. She also ignored the phone when it started to ring almost immediately.

The door opened and Lucy looked over, surprised to see Stefan had returned already. "Hey, Lucy. I need to have a word with Gloria. Why don't you go get something to eat then give Klaus a call?"

"I'd rather rescue Elijah and head for home."

He tilted his head to look her over. "Lucy?" he asked just as his phone began to ring.

"That'll be your brother."

Stefan glanced at his phone before frowning at her.

She grinned in response. "Got my brain back. Let's go."

***

Things hadn't gone quite as planned. It was now three days later and Lucy still hadn't seen Damon. She fidgeted in her seat as the private plane taxied on the runway.

Elijah chuckled. "He'll be there, Lucy. I promise. Calm yourself."

She nodded but said nothing. Once Stefan and she had awakened Elijah, the decision was made to meet their friends anywhere but Mystic Falls. Until they had some answers about what Elena's survival had to do with Klaus not being able to make hybrids, it was better to avoid him. Elijah had generously paid for everyone that might be a target to leave Virginia. And they'd all split up.

Stefan and Caroline were touring the Tuscan countryside. Matt, Elena and Jeremy were somewhere in Canada. Jenna and Ric were spending some time in the Caribbean. No one knew where Bonnie disappeared to, but she took Tyler with her. Elijah had obviously stayed with Lucy and they were preparing to meet Damon in Greece. Lucy tapped her foot as she waited for the plane to park so she could finally see the love of her life again. It felt like an eternity since she'd seen his face.

As for Klaus, well, Lucy had heard from him just before they boarded their flight. "Hello."

"I didn't think you'd answer, love." His sad voice tugged at her heart.

"I probably shouldn't have. I kind of missed your voice though."

"You did?"

"You were mine once. Whether those feelings were real or not, it's hard to just brush them aside. But Damon owns my heart and it's time for me to go home."

"But, you're not home, sweetheart. Because I am standing in your home and there seems to be quite the lack of anyone that could actually be of assistance to me." He didn't sound angry. In fact, if she had to pinpoint his tone, she'd say he sounded almost amused.

"Then you got my note."

He hummed in agreement. "And the necklace."

She stayed silent not knowing what else to say. It was all in the letter she'd sent to Mystic Falls with Stefan.

"Why?" he finally asked.

"Why what?"

"Why do you care? You should hate me."

"I told you, you were mine once. I think someday we could be friends again. As long as you don't kill any of my family."

The silence stretched again until he cleared his throat. "I'd like that, I think." And that had been the end of their conversation.

Lucy brought her mind back to the present as the pilot came back to lower the stairs of the small plane. She glanced at Elijah and he smirked as he gestured for her to go ahead. She scrambled out of her seat and paused in the doorway as her eyes took in everything around them. There. Standing a short distance away was Damon. He wore sunglasses and had his hands shoved in his pockets as he waited.

She ran to him as quickly as she could and still pass for human. When she was close enough, she lunged at him and he caught her. If she were human, her ribs would be cracked from the force of his hold. She buried her face in his neck and inhaled the crisp, clean scent of him. Damon loosened his grip just enough to look her over and press kisses to her face. "Baby, I missed you so much. I love you."

"I love you, too."

And as Damon held her tight once more, she realized that Klaus was wrong. Her home wasn't in Mystic Falls. It was right here, holding her. And she was never leaving it again.

***

A/N: And that will do it folks. thank you for reading