Ch. 1: Enchanted Sleep
This was it. Elena was really doing this. Damon stared, half-disbelieving, at Elena's comatose body lying perfectly posed in her coffin. She almost looks like she's sleeping, tucked tight between satin cushions in bed. If only that were true, then my friends and I would have nothing to grieve. I wish you weren't such a damn martyr, Elena; I wish I didn't have to be the hand that made you a martyr.
A year passed. Jeremy returned to hunting vampires. Alaric broke off from the supernatural world; it was too much for him to lose both of the women he married to it. Matt put all his energy into becoming the man he wanted to become, one who protects ordinary people from the very dangers that had menaced him since sophomore year. Only Bonnie, Caroline, Stefan, and especially Damon Salvatore stayed where they were when Mordecai died. Damon despaired at the love he'd lost, Bonnie regretted her role in Mordecai's escape and its consequences, Stefan longed to release his brother from his burdens, and Caroline was both concerned for her friends, especially the three left behind like her, and uncertain in her commitment to her relationship with Stefan.