S4E1

Transition

Scene 1

[Early next morning back at Elena's house. She is in her bed slowly coming round. Waking up doesn't feel the same though. Everything is louder, she is bombarded with strong smells and even as she slowly opens her eyes the crackling of light feels like a blinding flood. She puts up her hand to shield her eyes from it as they open wider.]

Elena: (Wincing) Stefan? (Looks to her left) Damon? (And straight ahead towards the window), Jeremy. (Sighs with relief and smiles as if to settle back into sleep, then braces). Wait. Wha... How? Where's Matt?

Stefan: He's fine. We, ah, we dropped him home this morning... Doctors gave him the all clear. He's still pretty shaken up though.

Elena: Oh, thank God. Thank you, Stefan. (Takes his hand). Thank you so much. Wooh. I don't know what I'd do if he didn't make it. (Smiles as she exhales then pauses as she looks at everyone's faces). Why so glum? It's okay. Everyone's okay, right? Bonnie, Caroline and Tyler are all okay right? (Searching everyone's faces, getting increasingly agitated by their expressions). Alaric; did you kill him? What happened with Alaric ... (gasp) and Klaus' body?

Damon: (A little exasperated) Elena, you're dead.

Stefan: Damon.

Damon: What, did you think of a way to sugar coat it? You should have told me, brother. I wouldn't have beaten you to the punch line.

Elena: (Hyperventilating a little and stuttering) wha, wha... Stefan... what's he saying?

Stefan: Elena, (gently caressing her hand and looking in her eyes with a pained look in his) after I got Matt out of the car, I couldn't get back for you in time. (Chokes back tears) I tried but it was too late. You were gone. (Bows head).

Elena: (Still panicking) Then ho... then how?

Damon: When you were in the hospital earlier, your injuries were worse than Meredith let on. She actually gave you some of my blood to heal you.

Elena: (Panic turns into shocked horror. Jaw literally drops open as she gasps) Am I...?

Stefan: (Still looking down) You're in transition.

Elena: (Gasps again in shock chokes back tears as she takes it in) No. No it can't be. (Starts to cry) Oh my God, nooo! (Breaks down). (Jeremy fights tears at the window and looks away. Damon looks down and grits his jaw. Stefan winces as she cries in his arms, choking back tears of his own).

(End of Scene)

Scene 2

(Damon's in the kitchen going through the cabinets, finds a bottle of alcohol. Pours himself a glass. Stefan comes down the stairs.)

Stefan: She's gone back under again.

Damon: (Sips his drink) Well, she'll be in and out of consciousness for another couple of hours before she'll be able to consistently stay awake. ... You know she'll have to feed soon. (Throws back the rest of his drink and pours another. All this time the brothers do not make eye contact). Someone's gonna have to have that talk with her. (Takes a sip of his drink; does not look directly at Stefan but can see that he has not changed his stance of looking broodily down at his feet. There is a moment where no one says anything. Damon then suddenly slams glass down hard on the table, breaking it.) God dammit, Stefan! Aren't you gonna say anything!

Stefan: (Shouting back) Like what Damon! What do you want me to say! I'm still processing everything that's happened. I- I can't even... we'll deal with the feeding when we have to.

Damon: Wow. Is that what you told yourself when she was dying right in front of you? (Turning to face him squarely) "I'll deal with it when she's dead"?

Stefan: (Lips pursed, nostrils flared) That's a low blow.

Damon: A low blow? Stefan? What the hell else am I supposed to think? Explain it to me! 'Cause I really don't understand. Elena in a car, drowning. Quarterback, drowning. Elena, quarterback; Elena, quarterback. (Suddenly violently shouting) You pick the freaking quarterback?! It was Elena, Stefan! Freaking Eleenaa! (Stefan holds his head crying and slumps to the floor in a ball. Damon looks on the brink of tears). What were you thinking!?

Stefan: (Shouting back through tears) I don't know! (Explaining) She signalled to me. She- she seemed so sure. She wanted...

Damon: So what! She was drowning for God's sake, she probably had... water in her brain!

(Stefan cries on the ground. Damon clenches his fist and turns away to try and rein himself in. He exhales as he draws his hand down his face from his forehead to rest over his mouth when he detects a tiny sound and turns around suddenly. Jeremy is standing on the landing of the stairs with cell phone in hand, looking quite frozen as he doesn't know how to intrude on the intense scene that was ringing through the entire house).

Damon: (With deep contempt in his voice) What d'you want?

Jeremy: I just got a text from Bonnie. She says she's been trying to reach you two for hours and she hasn't gotten any reply. (Damon starts checking his pockets for his phone). She wants to know what the hell's going on.

Damon: (Pulling out phone and looking at it, sneers) Figures. Battery died. What'd you tell her?

Jeremy: Nothing. I figured she deserved better than to find out by text and I don't know how to tell her right now. She deserves better than to hear it over the phone too.

Damon: I don't have a charger on me. Gimme your phone. (Walks closer to Jeremy, holds out hand; Jeremy hands over the phone with a mildly reluctant look on his face but does not protest. Damon starts dialling.)

(End of Scene)

Scene 3

(Outside, at the entrance of the old slave quarters of the Lockwood property Bonnie and Tyler/Klaus whatever is out there to sit on with Tyler/ Klaus looking impatient and Bonnie looking worried. Then her phone rings. She checks the caller i.d. and answers).

Bonnie: Jeremy?

Damon: No, Damon.

(Tyler/Klaus' interest is piqued).

Bonnie: Damon, thank God. I thought you were dead or something.

Damon: Nope. I'm not the one who's dead.

Bonnie: (Throwing Tyler/Klaus a puzzled look which he simultaneously returns) Please tell me you're talking about Alaric.

Damon: Oh yeah, I guess I am talking about him too.

Bonnie: (Impatiently) Damon, spit it out.

Damon: Look, where are you?

Bonnie: I'm on the Lockwood property.

Damon: What are you doing there?

Bonnie: It's a long story which is why I was trying to call Stefan and then you when I couldn't find him. Damon, what's going on?

Damon: Okay, you need to come over to Elena's house right away. (Tyler/Klaus stands up slowly watching Bonnie intently as if bracing for a sudden crash or an attack.)

Bonnie: (Face starts to distort and her voice starts to crack.) Oh God. Damon, just tell me please.

Damon: (His voice sounding particularly glum now) It's like Jeremy said. You deserve to be told in person.

Bonnie: (Tears start streaming) No, Damon. Tell me now, please. I can handle it. (sobs) It's Elena, isn't it? (anger starts to gleam from Tyler/Klaus' eyes as he grits his jaw). Tell me! (crying) Plea-eaase!

Damon: Rebekah ran Elena and Matt off Wickery Bridge. (Tyler/Klaus' eyes open up wide in disbelief.) Stefan got Matt out on time but Elena didn't make it.

(Tyler/ Klaus' face distorts with rage. He punches a tree and fells it while Bonnie, in disbelief and instant grief drops the phone and falls to her knees in a stream of tears.)

Bonnie: Oh no. No, no, no. (While she is crying and sobbing Tyler/Klaus can hear Damon on the phone).

Damon: Bonnie? Bonnie, pick up the phone. There's more.

Tyler/Klaus: (Kind of singing her name) Bonniiee. It doesn't sound like he's finished.

Bonnie: (Pauses, just sobbing now and looks at the phone before going for it again.) Damon?

Damon: Wow, way to make me tell you now, Bonnie! And who the hell's there with you?

Bonnie: (Sniffles and speaks in a quiet controlled voice) What else is there? What else happened? (Tyler/Klaus is looking at her expectantly at this point with bated breath).

Damon: She had vampire blood in her system when she died. (Bonnie's eyes open wide with surprise while Tyler/ Klaus rolls his eyes and punches another tree also felling it).

Tyler/Klaus: Bloody hell!

Damon: Bonnie, what the hell's going on out there?

Bonnie: Uh, I'll explain later. So... (smiling, relieved) she's alive. How did she get vampire blood in her system?

Damon: Look I told you what happened. Just get over here and I'll give you the details later.

Bonnie: I'm on my way. (Hangs up).

Tyler/Klaus: (Steps in her way) You need to get me back to my body as soon as possible because the first order of business is to kill my bratty little bitch of a sister, and I don't mean putting her under for another 92 years. (Turns and walks away).

Bonnie: (Pausing with a serious expression and raising her eyebrow for a second after he turns and walks away.) I'll help.

(And she walks off behind him).

(End of Scene)

Scene 4

(Jeremy in his room on the computer. He answers his skype. There's a girl about age 16 on the screen).

April: (Glad to see him) Jeremy!

Jeremy: (A little lack lustre but trying to look pleasant). Hey, April. How you doing?

April: I'm good. I'm psyched that you answered my request and added me on skype. It's been so long since we had a face to face. You're still totally cuuute.

Jeremy: (Blushes a bit and smiles). Yeah, well I thought it would be nice to see your mug again too. Especially after I saw something on your Facebook about moving back to Mystic Falls(?). What's that about?

April: I don't really know myself. My Dad's been talking about it to my Mom. They've been a little hush hush, though. I've mostly overheard stuff. I dunno, maybe it's the economy and he lost his job or something. They're telling me squat but I guess it'll all be revealed when we move... or not.

Jeremy: (Chuckles just as the doorbell rings). Hey, April. I gotta go. Someone's at the door.

April: K. Talk to you soon. I'll let you know what's happening.

Jeremy: Ok. Bye. (Gets up, goes past Elena's room where he glances at her sleeping, keeps going, down the stairs and to the door. Peeps out, undoes the latches and then opens). Matt! Come in.

Matt: (Crossing the threshold and turning to face Jeremy) Hey, man. How's Elena doing?

Jeremy: In and out of consciousness. She's out of it right now. Stefan says that should stop pretty soon.

Matt: (Grimacing) Man, I had a terrible night, I couldn't sleep. I felt sick with worry, like physically sick. I just... I keep worrying about what's gonna...

(Jeremy flinches into a defensive posture as suddenly with no warning Matt flies at vamp speed away from the door into the house. In the split second Jeremy can get over the sudden shock he realises that Damon just sped to the door grabbed Matt up and sped him up against a wall in the house where he was now holding him up by his throat).

Damon: (Murder in his eyes) Really? You have the gall to show up here? Thought you'd o' left town by now. Or maybe since Stefan got between you and the grim reaper last night you thought you'd come here and give him another shot. Well you came to the right place.

Jeremy: (Scrambling to where they are with a horrified look on his face) Damon, stop it! Put him down. This isn't his fault.

Damon: Oh, don't think I don't know this is your fault too but maybe 'hero' here can pay for both your sins. (He tightens his grip and Matt starts to gasp for air).

Stefan: (Runs in from another room) Damon stop! (Lunges at Damon who elbows him in the face with his free hand and pushes him across the room. Stefan gets up to go again).

Damon: We could fight this out little brother but I promise you, I'll snap his neck before neck before you even get here. (Matt's gasping turns to gurgling).

Jeremy: (Tears welling up, paralysed with fear). You son of a bitch, you're killing him.

Stefan: (Now on his feet and extending his hands in a gesture to assure Damon he won't make any sudden moves. He tries talking to him as he watches Matt's face twist and change colour). Damon, Damon. Don't do this. None of this is his fault. It won't change anything that happened, and I promise you it won't make you feel any better.

Damon: (In a calm soft voice, almost a whisper) I'll be the judge of that. (Then a loud desperate voice calls out).

Elena: (Ugly crying) Stop iiiiiiit! What are you doing?!

Damon: (Looks over his shoulder at her on the landing. There is a glint of shame in his eyes as he then averts them momentarily to the ground. His grip on Matt loosens as Matt takes a wheezy sounding breath. Then his face hardens with resolve, he returns his focus on Matt and squeezes again.) Get outta here, Elena.

Elena: (Elena runs over to pummel Damon's back) No, no. (Goes to the side of him to look him in the face) I'll hate you forever! (Angrily gritting her teeth and pushing her face in his) We can never come back from this.

Damon: (Cocks his head slightly and raises his eyebrows as if saying 'Oh yeah?') Well maybe I should just snap his neck now and get it over with.

(Elena's eyes widen with terror. He uses his free hand to push her back then aims it square at Matt's head.)

Elena: Noooooo!

Stefan: Damon, don't!

Jeremy: No!

(They say this simultaneously and each lunges forward as if they could possibly do something on time. Then Damon cries out, drops Matt and holds onto his own head before falling to his knees, grunting in pain).

Elena: (Gasps with relief and scrambles over to Matt on the floor who is gasping desperately for air) Oh my God, Matt, Matt are you okay? (He can't answer, still trying to catch his breath. She holds him and cries. Damon is writhing on the floor in pain. She looks over towards the door). Bonnie, thank God!

Bonnie: (Bewilderment on her face, finally releases Damon from the psychically imposed migraine) What the hell is going on here?

(End of Scene)

Scene 5

Bonnie: What's going on here? (Going over to Matt and kneeling by his side opposite Elena) Matt are you okay?

(Focussing on breathing, he nods decisively. Bonnie gives Elena a reassuring look which Elena returns, still holding Matt. She then reaches out her hand and squeezes Bonnie's gratefully. Bonnie stands up and turns to Damon.)

What is wrong with you? What was that supposed to prove?

Damon: (Standing up, still recovering from the pain) Nothing he didn't deserve. He missed his number last night. (He looks at Matt while Elena glares at him with hurt and anger).

Bonnie: (Stepping in front of Damon and touching her hand on his chest) Wait, you blame Matt for getting out alive?

Damon: (Raising his voice) I blame him for getting her out the house in the first place! Where she was safe!

Matt: I was trying to keep her safe!

Damon: Yeah, well bad call buddy! You got her killed instead.

Bonnie: Stop it. For one thing, Elena's right here. Don't talk about her like she's not. Plus, you don't know how things would have played out. If a vampire wanted to get into this house, especially an original, you and I both know firsthand they'd have found a way in. But I can tell you that no one in this room loves Elena any more or any less than the other.

Damon: (Sarcastic voice and still throwing hateful glances at Matt) You so sure about that?

Bonnie: (Pushing up her chest and lifting her head in defiance she responds without hesitation) I'm sure of that. You're not the only one of us hurting because of this, so you don't get to take it out on any of us.

Damon: (Looking her in the eye now, he says nothing for a few seconds while clenching his jaw) You know what, screw it. No one listens to me anyway. What am I even doing here. (Turns and heads towards the door).

Bonnie: (Sighs and rolls eyes) Damon. (Goes after him). Damon, you can't go, I need to talk to you... and Stefan.

Damon: (Standing a couple feet from the open front door, turns around) What, Bonnie! What can you possibly have to talk to me about now?

Bonnie: It's about Klaus. (Everyone's interest is piqued.)

Damon: Klaus? Who cares? He's dead.

Bonnie: What? Are you sure?

Damon: I saw Alaric stake him myself.

Bonnie: And what happened?

Damon: What happened? He lit up like a bonfire. Like I said he's dead.

Bonnie: And you saw him burn... completely? Like to ash?

Damon: I don't know Bonnie. Alaric was kinda kicking my ass right after.

Elena: (Approaching them now but staying away from the light coming thru the door) Bonnie, what's this about?

Stefan: Yeah, what does Klaus' dying have to do with anything?

Bonnie: (Taking a deep breath) Guys, I... I took a chance on something. (Stefan and Elena look at her with increased curiosity and Jeremy and Matt close in, Matt still rubbing his neck.) I...

Damon: (Looking out the door) What the hell are Blondie and teen wolf doing here? I thought they split. (Turning and looking puzzled at the others) Actually, isn't he supposed to be dead?

Elena: Yeah, he is.

Bonnie: Wait, Caroline's not supposed to be with him. (Walks past Damon and goes to the door). You've got to be kidding me!

(End of Scene)

Scene 6

(Outside, in front the house Klaus/ Tyler is outside Bonnie's car with Caroline. She is shocked and happy to see him. She hugs him tightly as he hugs her back then she starts showering his face with kisses.)

Caroline: (Crying) Oh my God! Is it you? I can't believe it. (Hugs him again then cups his face to look at him) But how? When I left you I thought you were dying?

Tyler/Klaus: Ahh, I did too. Turns out... I was just shifting into wolf form. So it was a good thing that you ran anyway.

Caroline: But you... you're definitely of Klaus' bloodline. How can you still be alive?

Tyler/ Klaus: (Shrugs and shakes his head slowly and gives her a clueless look as though he has no idea and is trying to figure it out.) I uhhh...

Caroline: Oh, who cares? You're here that's all that matters.

(Her eyes soften, her lips part and she leans in to kiss him. Klaus realises that he is going to get a kiss and get ready for it. Just as Caroline's mouth is about to touch his, his head explodes with pain. He holds his head and cries out in anguish. Caroline, frightened and taken aback, steps away. She looks up and realises what is happening.)

Bonnie, what're you doing?!

Bonnie: (Walking towards them and still inducing the migraine, Damon and Stefan bringing up the rear) Get away from her.

Caroline: Bonnie!? Are you crazy?! You're hurting Tyler!

Bonnie: (Damon and Stefan catching up behind her) That's not Tyler. (She releases Tyler/Klaus).

Caroline: I'm sorry, I think I didn't hear you right.

Tyler: (Straightening up as he recovers, he sneers) Damned weakling body.

Caroline: (Looks at him with wide-eyed surprise) Or I did? So who the hell are you?

Stefan: (Now standing next to Bonnie now with Damon standing on the other side of her, he realises) Klaus.

Caroline: Whh-what!?

Damon: (With calm realisation he turns his head to look Bonnie in the eye) It's the reason we're all alive. (Bonnie doesn't verbalise her answer but she turns her head to meet his gaze and her face says it all.)

Bonnie: (Turning her attention more towards Stefan.) It's what I needed to talk to you two about.

Caroline: Wait! You did a body switch on Tyler and Klaus?! Oh my God! How could you do that to Tyler?! (Gasps) Oh my God! Who did I say goodbye to at the Lockwoods last night?

Tyler/ Klaus: (Smiling slyly) Was it as good for you darling as it was for me? (Puckers and kisses at her.)

Caroline: (Her face distorts) Oh my God! (Bends over by the car and wretches. Tyler/Klaus smiles in amusement).

Bonnie: Caroline, Tyler agreed. When he called to tell me goodbye last night, I ran the plan by him and he insisted he could handle it.

Caroline: But, but ...

Jeremy: (Calls from the house) Guys, come quick! It's Elena.

(End of Scene)

Scene 7

(Everyone except Tyler/Klaus is in Elena's room perched on any available space surrounding her bed where she is laying apparently unconscious again.)

Elena: (Jumps suddenly out of slumber and flies up into a seated position gasping) What happened?

Jeremy: You passed out again.

Elena: How long is this gonna keep happening?

Damon: You need to feed Elena.

Elena: (Looking at him with slight disgust) No. I can't.

Damon: (Raising his voice) You can't? You don't have a choice.

Stefan: Damon...

Damon: What! She doesn't feed, she dies. Simple.

(Everyone exchanges looks)

Bonnie: Guys, can Elena and I have a minute?

Damon: Why? Most of us can still hear you.

Bonnie: (Giving Damon an "ok wise ass" look) Can we have a minute anyway, please?

Damon: (Fake smiling) Fine by me.

(He leaves followed by everyone else one by one acknowledging Elena on the way out. Bonnie gives Elena a sympathetic look. Elena starts to cry. Bonnie takes her hands and is on the brink of tears as well.)

Elena: This isn't how it was supposed to end, Bonnie.

Bonnie: (Looking in her face) This isn't the end Elena; not even close. It's a beginning.

Elena: I never wanted this. In fact it's the one thing that I was sure I never wanted. We went to so many lengths to prevent it before.

Bonnie: I know but now it's what you've got and you have to make the most of it.

Elena: (Stops sobbing and looks Bonnie in the eye) Do I?

Bonnie: (Frowns) Elena, you know I support your decisions, whatever you choose for your life, I'm behind you... but this time? No. Just, no. You have to feed.

Elena: I don't think I can do that Bonnie. I can't bring myself to do ... that. (Bonnie shakes her head as if she doesn't know what she means.) Drink someone's blood.

(Downstairs Caroline is upset and walks out the house; Stefan looking sympathetic; Damon cocking his eyebrow and toying with a drink as if bored by the stupidity; Matt and Jeremy talking and thus having a WTF moment when she walks out; Tyler/Klaus smirking in amusement.)

Bonnie: It should get easier pretty soon if not already. The cravings will kick in and you'll want it. So it's not a matter of being able to do it... you'll eventually need to focus on how to stop yourself.

Elena: And that's exactly the problem. I don't want to be a bloodthirsty ... eh ... uh ...

(Suddenly vamp speeds through the front door past the others, startling them, up the stairs and into Elena's room).

Caroline: A monster? Say it. You don't want to become a bloodthirsty monster.

Elena: (Crying) Caroline...

Caroline: Like me? Like Stefan? (Starts sobbing). Because we all asked to be like this! We didn't have our lives ahead of us and had it cut short by some selfish vampire with her own agenda! You know, with my Dad it hurt that he chose to die but I got that he was an old-fashioned vampire hater who did think I was a monster. But the fact that you're even contemplating this is a whole different kind of hurt. It hurts right between the shoulder blades.

Elena: (Lips trembling, eyes streaming with tears) Caroline... (it's too late she vamp speeds out the room. With a pained look, she turns to Bonnie).

Bonnie: (Trembling voice) Sorry to say I'm with Care on this. You're the one who taught me that this could be managed, that you don't have to be a monster...when I was afraid that that was exactly what Caroline had become. Why can't you treat yourself with the same understanding you gave your friends?

Tyler/Klaus: (Standing at the door) This is all very cosy and cute but I'm getting seriously bored and annoyed now. When do you plan to return me to my body.

Elena: Bonnie, what... what's Tyler talking about? (They exchange looks.)

(End of Scene)

Scene 8

(Everyone except Stefan is downstairs in the living room including Elena who is perched on a comfy armchair huddled in a blanket. She is weak but she tries to stay awake and follow what's going on. Caroline makes a point of being on the other side of the room from her and is a little pouty, particularly when she glances her way. Bonnie is showered and changed into fresh clothes she borrowed from Elena.)

Jeremy: So lemme get this straight, you pulled a body switch on Tyler and Klaus so that if our plan didn't work and Alaric got to Klaus, Klaus wouldn't be killed and all the vampires in his bloodline would live. Ok, all except Tyler because he would've been in Klaus' body if that happened.

Bonnie: Well no. It was the same issue we had when we first faced Klaus (looking at Damon) in Alaric's body. If we killed Alaric (looking at Klaus) he'd just possess someone else. It was the same thing if Alaric killed Klaus.

Damon: Yeah that's another thing. I always thought you just possessed Alaric, not that you switched bodies. I'm pretty sure that if he had your body somewhere he'd have used it to warn us.

Klaus: Yes, well while possession is an option but it's terribly unpredictable so we opted for a body switch instead. I had to submit to intense and constant sedation during that time. (Damon gives a puzzled frown).

Bonnie: It has to do with the mechanics of the spell. It's complicated to explain.

Damon: How bout you give us the short version.

Bonnie *sigh* When a person is born the soul or the consciousness is rooted in the body so that on death of the body that connection is broken and the soul or consciousness goes back to the other side. The spell creates a temporary connection of the consciousness or the spirit to other bodies ... um... (Damon gives her a WTFAYTA look) ... ok think of the spirit in its rooted form as a solid. It fits in the body it was born into, into that shape... it's not meant for anything else. The spell makes it ... fluid. Yeah! Like gas to get from one body to another and then like liquid to fit into that body but the whole time it's still rooted to the original body it was born into.

Caroline: Bonniiieee. You know I suck at science. I totally don't know what you're saying.

Matt: No, I think I got it. That basically you always belong to your first body but the spell lets you fit into other ones but even then your roots are still in your first body and that's what keeps your spirit alive even if the borrowed body dies.

Bonnie: (Pointing at Matt) Right.

Damon: Why the hell couldn't you just say that? (Bonnie cuts her eye at Damon.) Well, I'm telling you, Alaric staked him. (This draws a heavy stare from Tyler/Klaus).

Bonnie: Now this is where I took a risk. I didn't exactly know what the effect of the body switch would be on Klaus' killing.

Elena: (Sounding drained) I don't understand, what do you mean?

Bonnie: Well, remember that original vampires are special. The things that kill subsequent generation vampires are not the things that necessarily affect originals; at least, not the same way. And why is that? What are the mechanics? Does the stake made from white oak kill an original because its destroying the body of an original, or its soul... or the combination of the two?

Damon: You're saying it's possible that he didn't actually burn to ash because he wasn't a complete original.

Bonnie: Or if he got him straight through the heart it might not have mattered what state he was in. Think Damon; really hard. Did he burn?

Damon: I don't know. Like I said, Alaric came at us straight off and after I realised Elena was gone, it didn't matter, I didn't care. (Glances over at Elena with soft eyes. She returns his gaze).

Tyler/Klaus: And where exactly is my body now.

Damon: The same place you last saw it.

Bonnie: At the storage unit. That's about an hour's drive out of town.

Caroline: I'm coming with you.

Bonnie: Okay. Jeremy, do you know if that big box of candles I left with you a while back is still here?

(Jeremy looks at Elena searchingly)

Elena: I don't know anything about it.

Jeremy: Then it's still in the storage closet. I'll go get it. (Turns to go.) I'ma come with you too, okay. (Tyler/Klaus rolls his eyes.)

Bonnie: (Like a little girl) Yeah, sure.

Caroline: (Finishes checking a message on her phone and looks preoccupied) Actually, Bonnie I can't. I gotta go do something for my Mom.

Bonnie: (A little puzzled) Oh. Is everything okay?

Caroline: (Sighing) Yeah. She just heard from one of her deputies that I was spotted in town this morning and she's kinda pissed about it. I gotta go smooth things over, like asap. Tell Tyler I love him and I'll see him soon.

Bonnie: Okay (Looking at her a bit puzzled.) Be careful out there.

Caroline: (Gives Bonnie a warm look) Bye. (She turns with the look still on her face to Tyler/Klaus then drops it suddenly when the expression on his face is an abrupt reminder who he is, then she looks at Elena and forces a short unconvincing smile. Then she turns and leaves.)

Jeremy: (Re-entering the room with a medium sized brown cardboard box) Here they are. You know on second thoughts, I'm not gonna go.

Bonnie: (Obviously trying to mask disappointment) Oh, ok.

Jeremy: I mean, I really think I should be here for Elena. She really needs me.

Bonnie: No, no, you're right.

Elena: I'm gonna be fine. Stefan should be back with that blood soon...

Jeremy: And I should be here for that. It's a big deal and I'm the only family you've got left. I should be here.

Elena: (Smiles warmly at Jeremy momentarily then pipes up) Damon should go. (Damon's eyes shift as he winces.) In case Bonnie needs help with anything major she should have vampire muscle there.

Tyler/Klaus: (Smiling wryly) You mean if I get out of hand and try to pull something.

Bonnie: Honestly, Elena, nobody has to come. I have it covered.

Tyler/Klaus: She's right. In this body, she owns me.

Damon: (Smiling smugly) She's not worried about you (looking at Klaus) she's worried about Matt. (Matt darts Damon a hateful look).

Elena: I'm worried about after the body switch. I'd feel better if Bonnie had some back- up.

Damon: She'll have Tyler. I know he's useless but didn't he break the sire bond? (Crooks his eyebrow sarcastically. Elena is clearly not amused.)

Tyler/Klaus: Even so. Last I checked, my body was desiccated and wrapped in numerous padlocked chains. Unless you know something, little Elena that I don't and young Bonnie here (turning his attention to Bonnie with a charming smile) plans to free me from my infernal prison. (She returns his gaze with a straight face, unmoved. Damon frowns.)

Damon: You know, on second thoughts, think I will tag along; make sure everything goes as it should since recent history proves that things tend to have craptastic endings when I'm not around. (Pretty much everyone rolls their eyes. He turns to Elena.) You'll be ok with dumb and dumber right? Recent history also proves that craptastic things happen when you're left in their hands but it takes a special brand of dumb and dumber to kill you twice right? (Turning to Jeremy and Matt with faux sincerity) I'm counting on you guys to not be that special.

Elena: Get out of here Damon. (Raises eyebrows at them with a smug sarcastic smile before turning to follow Bonnie and Tyler/Klaus out the door.)

(End of Scene)

Scene 9

(Tyler/Klaus, Bonnie and Damon in Damon's car – Damon driving, Tyler/Klaus in the passenger seat and Bonnie in the back seat. He looks in his rear-view mirror and sees her start to nod off. It dawns on him that she hasn't slept in perhaps 24 hours and that events are taking their toll. He looks at her thoughtfully for a few seconds then focuses on the road. Tyler/Klaus looks over at him then back at her then faces forward and smiles musingly.)

Tyler/Klaus: Sometimes it's easy to forget that at the end of the day she's still human.

Damon: (Side-eyes and frowns) Shut your stinking trap.

Tyler/ Klaus: (Drops smile) Well that was rude. (Claps really loudly) Bonniiieee!

Damon: WTF, Dude!

Bonnie: (Jumps out of sleep, in a fright) What! What!? (breathing hard.)

Tyler/Klaus: We need to talk.

Bonnie: Ugh. (Catching herself and rubbing her temples with the thumb and fingers of her hand, she snaps at him.) What do you want?

Tyler/Klaus: I'd hoped to have this conversation alone but thanks to Elena I now have to deal with Damon being here.

Damon: (Smiling from ear to ear) Well, she does have a talent for screwing things up. (Bonnie frowns at Damon momentarily before returning her attention to Tyler/Klaus.)

Tyler/Klaus: I want you to release me from desiccation. (An involuntary laugh escapes Bonnie's mouth.)

Damon: (Immediately responding) No.

Tyler/Klaus: I'm talking to Bonnie.

Damon: I'm talking to you. N-O. Piss off.

Tyler/Klaus: (Turns to face Bonnie in the back seat) You have no reason to keep me like that. I am no threat to Elena anymore; her blood is useless to me now. She's useless to me.

Bonnie: I'm sure the world will be a better place without you in it, Klaus. Besides, if you're dried up in a coffin we know where you are at all times, what you're doing, what you're not doing, who you're not tempting to kill you and by extension my friends and my mother. All the people who already wanna kill you can rest assured that there's no need anymore. Again, spells safety for my friends and my mother. Sorry, what was your argument again?

(Damon looks at her in the rear-view, raises his eyebrows and smiles, quite impressed)

Tyler/Klaus: It's inhumane.

Bonnie: (Leaning forward and trying to bridle rising anger) Inhumane? You're talking to me about inhumane? Really?

Tyler/Klaus: I know how that sounds but you're not like me. You're better than that. The last thing you want is for everything that you've been through to turn you into the very thing that you hate.

Bonnie: (Losing some grip on that bridle, full contempt in her voice) Oh spare me your faux psychology, Klaus. I assure you from the depths of my bottomless heart that I won't lose any sleep over the idea of you rotting in your own skin. And if on the off-chance I so much as start to feel a modicum of pity for you, there are sooo many pills I can take for that. (Damon's eyes shift with curiosity). There are at least 10 varieties of the Elena/doppelganger/blood-drain pills, then there's the Abby Bennett pill, (Damon starts chuckling to himself as her bitter sarcastic tirade mounts and Tyler/Klaus scowls and grits his jaw), there's the how you threatened me with Jeremy pill, there's the hateful Stefan ripper pill and let's not forget (raising her voice) the Jenna pill! And the Alaric pill!

Tyler/Klaus: Fine, I get it. You hate me.

Bonnie: Screwwww you! I loathe you! I will never fear that making the exception for you will turn me into the loathsome hateful monster that you are. (Sits back into her seat, folding arms in stubborn anger.)

(Damon looks at her in the rear-view mirror almost like a proud poppa. Bonnie looks out the car window oblivious to his gaze).

Tyler/Klaus: And what about Rebekkah? (Both Damon and Bonnie frown and look round at Klaus.)

Damon: What about Rebekkah?

Tyler/Klaus: How do you propose on handling her?

Damon: She doesn't know you're alive and even if she knew about Elena she's got no reason to go after her again.

Tyler/Klaus: My sister never needs a reason.

Bonnie: Why don't you just say what you have to say, Klaus.

Tyler/Klaus: Very well then. As of roughly an hour ago Rebekkah knows not only that Elena is a vampire but that I'm alive in Tyler's body. If she doesn't hear from me in 2 hours then she has strict instructions to go finish the job. You've got 3 quarters of an hour left. (Bonnie glares at him).

Damon: You're bluffing.

Tyler/Klaus: See for yourself. (Holds up Tyler's phone. Damon looks across to read the sent text message with 'one eye' on the road.)

Damon: It's legit. And I can vouch that one of the numbers is Rebekkah's.

Bonnie: One of them?

Tyler/Klaus: The other one is Kol's. So... Between Stefan, Jeremy, Matt and a transitioning or newborn vampire Elena versus my brother and sister I'd say your team is toast.

(Damon and Bonnie exchange worried looks)

Damon: Screw it. I say we bury this bastard so deep the hyenas won't find him. Then we message his militia ourselves.

Tyler/Klaus: Ahh, not that simple. You don't know the password.

Damon: There's no password.

Tyler/Klaus: Oh that's right. You're driving and I didn't scroll down. (Holds up the phone again.)

Damon: Kol's favourite pet when you were kids? Freaking really? (Bonnie sinks back into her chair sulking)

Tyler/Klaus: (Turns around again to talk to Bonnie) Come now, Bonnie, chin up. I just need leverage to get out of that coffin. I actually don't mean you or your friends any harm... although Damon does make it very difficult. (They exchange glares). I actually quite like you. And I won't forget what you did for me last night regardless of your motivations. Just like I won't forget what Rebekkah did regardless of what I've led her to believe in the last couple of hours. (They look at each other).

(End of Scene)

Scene 10

(Caroline finds that the door of her house is unlocked. She turns the knob slowly and eases in quietly all the while looking around cautiously)

Caroline: Mom?

Man's voice: We're over here... in the den.

(She walks in and comes face to face with two men both armed, one with a handgun the other with a shotgun flanking Sheriff Forbes who is tied to a chair and gagged. Caroline knows the men; the one with the shotgun is Samson Elwood a member of the Council and the man with the handgun is James Carson also a Council Member.)

Caroline: I did what you said, I came alone. Now let her go.

(Elwood motions towards the window with his head and Carson proceeds to look outside the window before drawing the curtains again. Then he goes out the door presumably to check the outside and the perimeter while Elwood keeps his shotgun at Sheriff Forbes' head staring down Caroline who stares back, as they wait anxiously for Carson to come back inside the house.)

Carson: It's clear. She doesn't appear to have been followed.

Caroline: (Feigning ignorance) Look, I don't know what this is about but I'm sure it's a big mistake and if you let us go... my Mom's the Sheriff plus she's known you Sam... Jamie... for like ever. I'm sure we can work something out.

Elwood: (Looks at her un-amused and huffs) You really are a piece o' work aren't ya? Yeah, I thought I knew your mother too. (Throws Sheriff Forbes a look of contempt.) I trusted her. We all did! Until she let creatures of the night live among us.

Caroline: (Laughing it off) You're crazy; that's crazy talk. Such things don't exist.

Elwood: Don't try to deny it. Alaric Saltzman told us everything.

Caroline: Alaric! I don't know if you noticed but he was kinda off his rocker there in the last days.

Elwood: The last days? (Pulling the barrel of the shotgun and aiming at Caroline.)

Caroline: I mean the last few days... didn't I say that? (faux grins) Hey c'mon, if I were creature of the night as you call it, you know that would have no effect on me right?

Elwood: (With steely resolve) Wooden missiles.

Caroline: (Her eyes widen with concern, then she flips.) Guys, c'mon! I am not a vampire. This is ridiculous. There is no such thing. How can I walk around in sunlight, I love garlic and I look at myself in the mirror every freaking day... like... alot. How...

Elwood: (Freaking the hell out and causing Caroline to shudder and Sheriff Forbes to tremble wide-eyed at his unexpected outburst) Silence, Demon! We are not fools! Don't talk to us like we are comic book fanatics! We know... what... you... aaare!

Caroline: (In shock at the dramatic antics, talks to herself under her breath) Oh my God, he is freaking crazy.

(End of Scene)

Scene 11

(Back at the garage of the storage unit Tyler, Damon and Bonnie stand side by side in that order. Piece of Tyler's shirt is torn and the missing piece is wrapped around Bonnie's wrist where it bears a blood stain. They are watching Klaus who has his back to them adjust the collar of his shirt – the same one he was wearing when they desiccated him. Klaus has a smug look on his face while they look sombre and less than amused.)

Klaus: Ahh, this is more like it. A body that actually feels right and it's soo good to open my mouth and hear my own accent come out. (Turns around smiling) Honestly, Tyler, the things I say sound really dumb in your voice. (They say nothing and their facial expressions suddenly become deafening. He smiles then his face goes deadly serious.) You know I could wipe all three of you out right now and not look back.

Damon: Give it your best shot.

Klaus: I know you've got a death wish Damon but I honestly wouldn't give you the satisfaction. I actually think I'm going to leave town indefinitely, perhaps for good. (They all look up with piqued interest). (Smiling) Ahh, I knew that'd get your attention. (He turns around again, closes the coffin lid and continues in a calm but sincere voice) You should come with me. (Their eyes start shifting in confusion.)

Damon: Who're you talking to?

Klaus: (Turns around and looks sternly at Damon) Who do you think? (Turns to look at her and softens his voice again) Bonnie? (She winces.)

Damon: (As if his proposal is ludicrous) She's not going anywhere with you.

Klaus: (Some annoyance showing) Oh so now that Elena's a vampire you've taken up speaking for Bonnie?

Bonnie: (As if his proposal was ludicrous) I'm not going anywhere with you.

(Damon raises his eyebrows at Klaus and throws him a smug I-told-you-so-look.)

Klaus: You sure about that love? With my hybrid strength, your witchy prowess and our collective smarts we'd make a bitchin' team. (smiles)

Bonnie: (Doesn't smile) Team of what? Teams have common goals... interests. We don't have common anything.

Klaus: Minor detail.

Bonnie: I like your idea. Leave town. The sooner you leave the better, the longer you stay away even better.

Klaus: Just don't get myself killed, right?

Bonnie: I have no doubt that you'll take care of yourself. You always seem to come out on top... one way or another.

Klaus: Now my little Valkyrja (Damon frowns) don't beat yourself up about the current check mate. I've been playing this chess game for a thousand years now. You've only been playing it for one. (For a few seconds he looks at her smugly while she glares at him sorely). Well, it's been swell...

Damon: Not so fast. You got a text message to send. (Gestures to Tyler to pass Klaus his phone which he does questioningly.)

Klaus: Oh. Almost forgot. (Catches the phone). Five minutes and counting too. (Types message on the phone). Voila! (Hands it back). Oh, by the way, I may have forgotten to mention this odd little message that came in from your mother right about the time that Caroline had to run off. (Everyone's brows furrow with concerned curiosity). You might want to take a look at it... right now.

(Tyler goes through the messages on his phone and starts reading. Then his eyes widen with shock and horror).

(End of Scene)

Scene 12

Elwood: We know about the ring that makes you withstand the rays of the sun; makes you a daywalker.

Caroline: (Brow furrows in disbelief. She says under her breath) Oh my God, it's like I'm trapped in a bad Blade movie. (Out loud) That is crazy. A ring? Have I used that word a lot today? Crazyyyy.

Elwood: Apparently, there're witches in Mystic Falls too. (Caroline's expression changes to concern briefly before she picks up the act again).

Caroline: I don't know what you're talking about. Please let my mother go.

Elwood: Oh, your mother has her own crimes to answer for (Caroline becomes visibly upset at this point) but I want you to submit to a little test. Prove us wrong, if we're wrong. Take off that ring you got on. (She looks at him worried.) The ugly one. Go on! (She jolts and does it throwing it on the table according to his gesture with the gun.) Now go stand up by that window.

(Caroline goes towards the window. As she walks she taps her right leg with her fingers nervously. Her mother gets agitated in her chair. Caroline stands in front of the window then turns her back to it. She focuses on her mother's eyes which are filled with more fear than her own and she tries to overcome her own fear and reassure her mother with her eyes instead. Carson approaches the window and draws the blinds. Caroline stays focussed on her mother. She doesn't move, she doesn't even realise that she isn't blinking. The fear in Sheriff Forbes' eyes turns to amazement. Elwood and Carson are puzzled. Caroline then realises that although she can see the sun all around her she hasn't turned and she hasn't burned. The look in her eyes also turns to surprise but she dares not move.)

I don't understand.

Caroline: See?

Carson: Hey Sam.

(Then the disbelief on Elwood's face slowly becomes a smug smile. Caroline realises something is wrong as she smells the burning flesh first. Then the pain hits here like hot oil splashed on her back and she can feel her face distort into the change. Sheriff Forbes starts rocking side to side wildly in the chair with tears streaming down her face and tears stream down Caroline's. Carson who was still by the window dashes over by Elwood and the chairs and points his gun, fumbling with it from fear but Elwood is much more in possession of himself.)

Elwood: Demon! Die!

(At the moment he says these words he immediately aims the shotgun at Caroline and in fractions of a second puts his finger on the trigger and... Caroline lets out a blood curdling scream.

(End of Scene)

Scene 13

Bonnie: Tyler, what is it?

Tyler: (Bewildered and worried) It's my Mom. The Council sent me pictures of her held hostage at our house. They want me to come alone... or they'll kill her.

Klaus: Hm. That must be why Caroline left in such a hurry with that strange excuse. (Whimsically) Divide and conquer.

Tyler: You son of a bitch. You knew about this! (Vamp speeds at Klaus who catches him by the neck. Bonnie lunges forward instinctively but stops unable to do anything.)

Klaus: Now given the news you just got I hardly think I'm the one you should be charging at. (Throws him a couple of feet into a pile of crates and dusts off hands and fingers until he catches Bonnie glaring at him. He retorts in annoyance) Oh don't look at me like that. You obviously needed him to get her back and you had to be focussed. There was clearly no reason or profit to mention it before now.

Bonnie: (Sighing as though it's useless to argue) Tyler, you okay?

Klaus: Of course he is. Stick and stones literally don't break his bones. I'm out of here. Sure you don't want to reconsider love? (Bonnie cocks her head to the side raises her eyebrow and gives him a wise-ass look.) Suit yourself. Your loss.

(He gives her a cocky smile which suddenly loses all expression as his face and neck turn grey and veins appear all through his skin and he starts to make a gurgly sound. Concern overtakes Bonnie's and Damon's faces as they realise that Klaus has been hit by a wooden spear from behind – it came down the dark corridor behind him and pierced his heart. Tyler gets up from the crate, vamp speeds past the corridor but gets stopped in his tracks by another spear which also gets him straight through the heart. Bonnie and Damon look at each other in utter disbelief then back at the bodies).

Damon: Let's go. Now!

(End of Scene)

Scene 14

Elena: (Wails loudly as she comes awake) Stefan? (She hears footsteps running up the stairs).

Matt: Elena? (He has a pained look on his face. She is pale and she looks terrible. He sits on the side of the bed cradles her in his arms and holds her hand).

Elena: (In a weak voice) Where's Stefan?

Matt: He's not back yet. I don't understand. I called, I texted ... he's not answering. I can't find Jeremy either.

Elena: Did Jer go looking for him?

Matt: I couldn't tell you. He just left without saying a word.

Elena: That's not like Jeremy, especially now. We should try them again. (She tries to move but she is unable to.)

Matt: We? You ... can't even move. Elena, you need to feed.

Elena: No, Matt. Stefan said it's best I start drinking chilled blood from the bags. Once I transition on human blood that way it's much easier to switch to animal blood.

Matt: I don't know what's going on with him right now, I don't think he's gonna make it on time. Never thought I'd ever say this but you don't look good (smiles).

Elena: (Manages to chuckle at his joke) I know. (Face goes serious) I'm dying.

Matt: (With stubborn resolve) Not on my watch you're not.

Elena: Maybe it's meant to be.

Matt: No. You didn't save me for no reason. Both of us were meant to get out of that car alive.

(He eases her up and slips off the bed. She doesn't even react, just shuts her eyes. He goes to towards the dresser. Elena starts sniffing and inhaling deeply, then her eyes open. Matt is standing over her with a pair of scissors in his right hand and blood running down the side of his left wrist.)

Elena: Matt...

(He puts the bleeding wrist to her mouth without hesitation. Her eyes widen with surprise for a split second, then she latches on like a newborn baby. She gradually gets into it holding onto his wrist herself and as she gains confidence taking more. The vains come in under her eyes, her fangs come in, she bites him in her frenzy.

Matt: Elena, stop!

(Elena gasps and looks at him. Wondering what she's done at first but then sensations of strength and heightened crazy exhilarating emotions start setting in and she starts breathing faster. Half smiling at him her exhilaration shows. He kinda smiles back at her as the both know nothing is the same ever again.)

The End