1.

The Return

Matt couldn't believe what had happened. His mind flashed back to before. Tyler's father, Mayor Lockwood, had told them to go home. He, Caroline and Tyler had then taken Mayor Lockwood's car, Tyler driving. Everything had been fine, with the exception of worrying about their family and friends. But then….

Matt glanced over when Bonnie sat next to him. He tried to offer her a smile, but couldn't manage it. He'd called everyone to tell them what had happened.

Bonnie did manage a tiny smile, but it was weak, worried and forced. "How is Caroline?"

Matt looked away, trying not to cry, but tears slipped free anyway. He'd never had his father, his mother was gone, and Vicki was…. He couldn't lose Caroline. He didn't know if he could handle that too. But he didn't say all that. "She's not good, Bon." He could hear the tears in his voice and grimaced.

Bonnie looked shocked. "What happened?"

Matt thought back on it again, reliving the accident. "We were driving, and… Tyler… heard this noise and he got…." He trailed off. What the hell had happened to Tyler?

Bonnie looked even more shocked and guilty as tears welled up in her eyes. But Matt didn't see any of that. "A noise?" she asked in disbelief, quickly covering over her expression.

Matt nodded, not looking at her, still reliving the accident. "He got this migraine or something, and he lost control of the car and ..." He couldn't relive the rest of it, not just because it was a hard memory, but because the rest was foggy, hazy. Tyler had seemed the most hurt, so the paramedics had helped him first. "I thought that Caroline was fine and then ..." He remembered the moment when Caroline had collapsed, it had been the worst moment of his life. "… and then she wasn't so ..." No, the worst moment was when he was told how bad she was.

"A noise," a new voice said, it had a british tone to it.

Matt and Bonnie snapped a look over to the newcomer. The man looked about twenty-two years old, had dirty blond hair, and powerful dark blue eyes that at the moment were full of smug satisfaction. He had a pale tan and although he wasn't overly muscular, he was lithe and had a firm body. He had a cocky stance to him, an air of aristocracy even as if he was from another time, and appeared nonchalant. Matt already didn't like him, and could tell that Bonnie definitely didn't either.

Bonnie glared at him. "Who are you?"

The man just smiled at her angry tone. "Aaron Mikaelson." He shrugged. "Don't look so angry at me, Bennett. You're the one who hurt Caroline. You realize that. Right?"

Bonnie gulped. Matt glanced between them, before looking at Aaron. "What are you talking about?" he asked in confusion.

"Ask her," Aaron replied, chuckling before walking off.

Matt frowned and looked at Bonnie. "What was he talking about, Bonnie?"

"I don't know, Matt," Bonnie replied. "Just stay away from him. He's bad news, I can tell." She stood up. "I'm going to see if I can get anymore news about Caroline."

Matt watched her leave, but put the encounter out of his head. Right now he had to think about Caroline.

XXX

Aaron smiled as he walked through the hospital. That witch was pathetic. She was obviously one of the good ones, but she'd still be able to break Niklaus's curse when the time came. But for now, she was just an amusing distraction. He was walking past a hallway when he stopped abruptly, stopped smiling, and turned, sensing another vampire.

What he saw was very interesting. That was definitely another vampire. But he also recognized the human that he was holding onto. She looked exactly like Tatia and Katerina. She had to be the doppelganger.

A woman walked over to them. She was obviously older than Elena. She seemed upset but it had no effect on him. The other vampire turned away, releasing the doppelganger as the new woman glared at him. "Elena. I came as soon as I got your message. How is John?"

Elena, Aaron thought to himself as he watched. So that's the new doppelganger's name.

Elena looked at her in disbelief. "Where have you been?" she asked the woman, sounding accusatory.

Jenna frowned at her tone. "At the… fire department. I had to fill out a report? I told you earlier."

Elena looked at her dubiously. "No you didn't."

Jenna frowned even more before looking angry. "Yes, I did."

Elena now looked annoyed and frowned herself. "No, Jenna, you didn't."

Jenna sighed and insisted, "Yes, I did."

Aaron watched this exchange before glaring. He had already figured out what was going on. Jenna must have spoken to someone who looked like Elena. So the previous doppelganger was here in town. Katerina. He saw the other vampire draw the same conclusion as Jenna and Elena looked at him with confusion.

Aaron continued walking, no longer interested. He also didn't want any other vampires to know of his presence just yet.

XXX

Aaron went back to the hospital during non-visiting hours. He moved through the halls quietly, making no sound at all. He was able to stay out of sight. He only revealed himself to the nurse on duty behind a counter. She was working alone. Perfect.

He zoomed over in front of the desk. As she was looking down at a folder, she didn't even notice. He tilted his head. "Excuse me…."

The nurse jumped about a foot in the air and looked at him. "Who are you? Visiting hours are—"

"Shh," Aaron told her, placing a finger to his lips. She was instantly silenced, looking as if she was choking on something, her hands going to her throat. He looked into her currently bulging eyes, and compelled her, his pupils dilating. "Be very quiet, and no running." She nodded and could suddenly breathe again. She gulped for air. "Where is Caroline Forbes's room?"

The nurse, now under compulsion, looked it up quickly and told him. Aaron smiled at her. "Appreciated. Remember nothing." He zoomed off.

Moving silently once again, he didn't stop till he got to Caroline's room. He looked around the corner inside the room to see a teenage boy sitting beside Caroline's bed. Caroline was sleeping. Aaron rolled his eyes in annoyance and used his powers to knock Matt out.

Walking in silently, he went to Caroline's other side and looked at her. She wasn't bad looking at least. He stepped closer to her and bit into his wrist, before pressing it to her lips. She woke up instantly and tried to fight him. "It's alright," he said in a soothing tone. "Just drink." After a moment, Caroline stopped fighting and just drank, though was clearly still scared. "That's it."

"What are you doing?" a voice asked him suddenly.

Aaron turned to see the vampire from before. At least he had the sense to whisper. He looked back at Caroline, pulled his wrist away, and then compelled Caroline. "Remember nothing and go back to sleep." Caroline went back to sleep.

Aaron moved from her bedside and walked over to the vampire, who was watching him in confusion. "You interrupted me. I was going to turn her. But you'll do nicely too, I guess. What is your name?"

The vampire glared at him. "Damon. Salvatore. Do nicely for what? Who are you?"

Aaron smiled. "Aaron. A pleasure, Mr. Salvatore." He looked back at Caroline before turning back to Damon. "Feel free to take credit. Gratitude makes me uncomfortable."

Damon frowned and Aaron walked off, smiling.

XXX

Aaron had been listening to Stefan and Elena's conversation with John the next day. He'd also heard Stefan's threat to John. So John was one of the vampire haters, and knew Katerina. He zoomed into the room after Stefan left.

John saw him, saw how fast he moved, and panicked. He moved to get up, but Aaron zoomed over to him and held him down with one hand easily.
"So there is another vampire in town besides Katerina and Damon Salvatore, huh?" John just looked at him in fear. "Who was the vampire that just left?"

John was silent a long moment. "Stefan. Stefan Salvatore."

"Salvatore?" Aaron asked. "Related to the other one then." He cocked his head and leaned down till he was eye-to-eye with John. "I want you… to help me deal with the vampires who are in town."

"Why would I help you?" John asked, gaining courage and glaring at him. "I may hate them, but you're one of them."

Aaron shrugged. "Not technically. And my name is Aaron." He smiled. "And because of our prey, you're not going to cut it at the moment, human. And you'll help me, because you'll want the cure."

John frowned. "The cure for what?"

"For this, John." Aaron snapped John's neck casually.