No Call for Help?

Jenna was so stunned by the recent events that she couldn't move. She just stood there watching as Bonnie and Stefan stood talking next to where Rick had been placed on the couch.

But her mind was racing. So many questions.

Why weren't they calling an ambulance or the police? Why did they just stand there talking? Why had Stefan said Rick was dead? Could he really tell? Why weren't they doing something?

Who had forced their way into her home and dragged her outside? Why did Stefan and Damon arrive to help her almost immediately? Why were they there at the same time? Though both visited with Elena at home, she never saw them there at the same time anymore.

And where was Elena? She was supposed to be spending the night with Bonnie.

Why wouldn't Bonnie let Damon in when he brought Rick? How did Stefan move so fast while carrying her. Where was Jeremy?

But mostly, why were they standing around instead of helping Rick?

"Were they being compelled?" Bonnie asked

"I couldn't tell." Stefan answered. "The vampire was obviously in charge, but it all happened so fast. I'm really not sure what they were even after."

"Elena. What else could they be after?"

"I don't know, but it doesn't matter. We've got to find them and take them out before they have another chance."

"I tried to call her, but it went to voicemail."

"She turns her phone off when working for Katherine," Stefan said. "At least the phone we can call – she leaves the Katherine phone on, but won't give us the number. She says she wants to know who's calling when that phone rings."

"How long will she be gone?" Bonnie asked.

"She's supposed to be back before dawn. You know she's supposed to be staying here, right? If Jenna asks."

"She told me, but I don't think that excuse is going to hold up now."

They both looked at Jenna, knowing the secret was blown, wondering how to help her.

"Can you call Katherine and tell her?" Bonnie asked.

Stefan shook his head. "Elena can, maybe Damon – I don't know. But I can't."

"Do you know when he'll be back?" Bonnie asked Stefan, pointing to Alaric.

"Not really. It wasn't long last time. Could be any time now."

Bonnie moved to Jenna and pulled her towards a chair. "Please sit down."

Jenna did, asking "Is he really…?" She could not finish.

"He's fine, or he will be," Bonnie replied.

"I saw him get shot. Stefan said he was dead. He is not fine. Why aren't we helping him?"

"Because he doesn't need help," Bonnie replied.

True Love?

There was a knock at Bonnie's door. When Bonnie and Stefan opened, Damon was letting Jeremy climb down from his back on the doorstep.

"Where are you going?" Jeremy asked as Damon turned to leave.

"Stay here with the others." Damon replied.

"Did you call Elena?" Stefan asked, thinking she might have given him the other number.

"Left a message."

"How about Katherine?" Stefan asked.

But Damon was gone.

Jeremy entered and went to Jenna, who was standing by Alaric now.

"Has he moved?" Jeremy asked.

Jenna looked at Jeremy. "You too?"

"Me too?"

"You just think he'll come out of it."

"Yeah. Me too." Jeremy said as they heard a knock at the door.

"Why won't they call someone for help?"

"Come on," he said, pulling her away from the couch, towards the door. "Let's see who it is."

Bonnie and Stefan opened the door together.

"Isobel," Bonnie and Stefan said together.

"May I see Rick?"

"You took me to Katherine," Bonnie said.

Isobel nodded. "I did. I did as she asked. We both have deals with Katherine, Bonnie, and they are for the same reason. You have pledged to use your power to protect Elena. I serve Katherine in exchange for her pledge to me to protect Elena. We want the same thing. May I see Rick?"

They could see that Isobel was concerned. She did not even look like a vampire. Her face showed none of the cold distance it usually had.

"She helped Elena," Jeremy said. "Elena trusts her."

"You could hurt..." Bonnie began.

"You could stop me. You know that. Please let me see him. I promise I will do no harm and never enter your home uninvited."

"No harm, no return." Bonnie said.

Isobel nodded.

Bonnie said "Come in" and moved aside. Isobel was instantly kneeling at the couch next to Alaric. Jenna had to gasp at Isobel's speed.

"Who is she?" Jenna asked.

"His wife – ex-wife," Stefan replied.

Isobel stroked his face briefly and moved her hand to his chest. She pulled it up to her face as she smelled blood.

"You could at least have cleaned him up," she said reprovingly.

"He wasn't bleeding." Stefan said.

"His heart has started again. He will bleed until the wound seals up. He's breathing again too. Jeremy, would you get some wet rags or towels for me? I can't stand to see him like this. He's in pain."

Jenna watched in stunned silence as Isobel and Jeremy attended to Alaric. His eyes had opened and he was starting to move.

'What is going on?' she thought to herself. "She may be ex, but she still has a thing for him," she said out loud to Stefan.

"Looks like." Stefan replied as he walked toward them. He helped Isobel place Alaric in a sitting position.

"How did you know about this?" Stefan asked Isobel.

"Katherine called."

"Damon must have reached her. Did she send you here?"

"Elena is on her way back. I will join her when she is back in town."

"I she all right?"

Isobel looked at Stefan. "I didn't talk to her, but she is well protected. We will find out who did this."

Jenna came over then. "Where is Elena?"

Isobel turned to her only briefly before returning her attention to Alaric. "I'll let her tell you that."

Ignore the Trail?

Damon answered his ringing cell phone. "Elena?"

"Damon. Are you all right?" Elena asked.

"Fine."

"Jenna and Jeremy?"

"Also fine. I just dropped Jeremy off at the Bennett house, where Jenna, Stefan, Bonnie and Rick are."

"Thank you. Are you with them?"

"No. Bonnie wouldn't let me in."

"No! That is not OK. How could she do that?"

"Elena, it's fine. I wouldn't have gone in anyway. I don't like it when you're in there either, but you know that."

"Still," she started, then decided to give it up. "Where are you then?"

"Your house. I'm finding a trail. I have some heads to rip off."

Elena was concerned now. "Damon, I'm on my way. Should be about an hour. Please wait for me."

"I took a bullet Elena. I'm not in the mood to wait for an hour."

"A bullet?" Elena asked. She wasn't told that. "Even more reason. Please Damon. I have a lot of help with me. We will find whoever did this. I'll call Bonnie and tell her to let you wait there for me."

"Not happening, Elena. When you get here, will you go to her house or will you come to wherever I am."

"I'll go to you, Damon. Just wait there for me. Please don't follow until I get there."

"I'll call Bonnie and tell her you'll be at her house in a couple of hours."

"What? Damon…"

"Think about it Elena. They are safe from vampires there. Bonnie and Stefan can handle any humans. Leave them there waiting until we've handled it."

"Ok. I agree," Elena said, sounding a little desperate. "But you wait for me at my house. Please."

"Sure, Elena. Anything you say."