The ride back to Mystic Falls had been tense. Elena hadn't really been in the mood to discuss her time with Kol beyond saying that there was no lasting harm. She still wasn't quite sure what game he'd been playing with her, and she definitely didn't like it. He'd been toying with her, playing with her like she was the mouse to his cat. Keeping her off balance by swinging between harsh and lustful and kind... Elena couldn't even begin to describe to Damon just how confused it all made her. Nor how guilty. She shouldn't have even questioned how evil Kol was. But he'd shown her a bit of humanity. And she could tell her reticence worried Damon.
The days passed and, though Elena wasn't anymore open about her experience, she'd begun to relax. Everyone had, really. They weren't actively trying to piss off the Originals and it seemed Kol had had his fun. Maybe she could just have a normal life. For once.
And she'd finally persuaded everyone to let her do a few things alone. Including going for a run. She'd gotten up early, for once. It was nice to run through the quiet streets, enjoying the hazy Virginia morning. Get her stride back. And it was a gorgeous morning. All thoughts of vampires and hybrids and doppelgangers slipped from her mind, a smile settling over her features.