Jeremy, Elena and Alaric sit on Mystic Grill's patio, eating what's left of their lunch.

Elena leans over the notebooks lining their table, asking her brother, "Hey, Jer, I need you to help me with something."

"What's up?"

"I've been going through Stefan's old journals. Every single time that he's gone off the rails in the past, his best friend Lexi's been the one to bring him back."

"She's dead. You want me to try to reach her?"

"I thought if I knew how she did it, maybe I could help him."

Alaric rolls his eyes, sighing. "Can we just drop it, please?"

"No, I can't drop it, Ric. I don't know what else to do."

Stefan arrives, joining their table.

"Hey, guys. Who forgot to invite me to the family summit?" He grabs one of his journals. "Wow. All these words. I forgot how much I used to care."

"I didn't."

He grimaces, returning the notebook. "You know, Elena, it's probably best you not torture yourself with memories from the past. We both need to just move on and accept things as they are."

Alaric tilts his head, reminding him, "You know, you don't have to be here, Stefan."

"Actually, I do, Ric. Elena's here and I look out for Elena. Besides, there are people everywhere on the town square. So, lots to eat."

Elena's eyes widen in shock as Alaric glares at him.

Stefan chuckles as he holds out his hands. "Loosen up, guys. I'm kidding."

He raises his brows, standing and entering the grill.

Elena turns back to Alaric, her voice firm, "I can't drop it, Ric."

Stefan walks alone down the street when Lexi suddenly appears before him.

"Lexi!"

"Hi."

"You're dead."

"Well, technically, so are you."

"How the hell can I see—"

"See me? Yeah, I have no idea. And I have no idea how long it's going to last, so let's get right to the point. Elena's worried about you. She thinks you're off the rails. Big time."

"Look, I don't know how you're here, but you need to leave me alone, ok?"

"Now, what kind of a friend would I be if I didn't help you out of this mess you're in?"

"Look, Lex. It's different this time."

"I've heard it all before, Stefan. 'I don't want your help. Leave me alone.'"

He shakes his head, stepping forward and lowering his voice. "Lexi, listen to me. This is different."

She narrows her eyes. "Then, tell me, Stefan, what's so different about this time?"

He licks his lips, closing his eyes and sighing. "I can't talk about it here."

Raising her brows, she crosses her arms. "Well, then I'd find a safe place to talk, because I'm not leaving until I know you're ok."

Stefan opens the cellar door, waiting for Lexi to enter first.

She raises a brow. "Do you really think I'm that stupid?"

He smirks, entering the small room first. "I have missed you."

"What are you doing, Stefan?"

He sighs, crossing his arms over his chest, his expression solemn. "I'm saving Elena and my brother."

"What?"

"Look, Klaus isn't some big, bad vampire we're up against. He's an original and a hybrid. We still don't really understand everything he's capable of or how to kill him."

"What does this have to do with you acting like a Ripper?"

He licks his lips, tilting his head. "When I left town with Klaus, I knew the only way to save Damon and keep him from Elena was to stay close to him, earn his trust, become his confidant."

Lexi nods. "Smart. But that doesn't explain what you're doing now."

"I knew Klaus would eventually figure out Elena was alive and he would question my loyalty. I knew he would want to know, without a shadow of a doubt, he had a soldier in me."

"You knew he would compel you."

Stefan nods. "I've been training. I made myself immune to compulsion."

Lexi's face falls. "Impossible."

Stefan shakes his head. "It wasn't easy and it didn't happen overnight, but it's possible."

"So, you're saying, all this is just a rouse to keep Klaus happy?"

"I'm keeping Elena safe and Damon alive. That's all I care about."

"But, you're killing people, Stefan. You're hurting Elena. You can't tell me you're not turning off some of your humanity with everything you're doing."

"If everything I'm doing keeps Elena and Damon alive, I'm willing to do whatever it takes; including, losing my own soul."

Lexi steps closer to him, placing a hand over his heart. "There has to be another way."

He shakes his head. "I wish there was, but until we know how to kill him or what his plan is, I gotta do this, Lex."

"What about Elena?"

He bows his head. "She deserves better. She deserves a life outside of all this. The farther she gets away from me, the better."

"Looks like today was a good day to be thinking about me, Elena."

Elena's eyes widen as she stares at the blonde girl. "Lexi?"

She nods. "Mm-hmm. Come with me."

"Where?"

"I'm sorry, did you not just say how desperate you were for my help in saving Stefan?"

Elena nods slowly, following her out of the grill. They begin to walk around the small park in the town square.

"Klaus really did a number on him, huh?"

"He compelled him to turn off his humanity."

"Well, you're just going to have to convince him to turn it back on." She stops, turning towards Elena. "But, I have to warn you, it's not going to be pretty or easy."

"I can handle it."

"Do you even know what you're saying? You're signing on for a lifetime of pain and struggle. He will never be fully human. He will always lust for blood and violence."

Elena steps forward. "I love him, Lexi. I know Stefan and I know what I'm signing up for. You can't scare me away and neither can Stefan."

Lexi smiles. "I thought you might say that. If you really believe what you're saying, if you really love him, you'll fight for him."

"How do I do that? I'm trying, but I don't know how to save him."

Lexi tilts her head. "It's not up to you to save him. All you can do is show him another way, another life. Stefan has to choose it for himself."

Stefan jogs across the park, calling out, "What are you doing, Lexi?"

She smiles, turning towards him. "Doing what I do best, sweetness. I'm helping you."

"Did I ever tell you how glad I am that you're dead?"

"I missed you too, friend."

Then, just as suddenly, she disappears, leaving Elena and Stefan alone on the walkway.

"Where did she go?"

Stefan shrugs. "Guess Bonnie worked her magic."

Elena nods, her brows creased as she wraps her arms around herself.

"What were you two talking about?"

She takes a deep breath, meeting his gaze. "That I can't save you."

Stefan nods. "That's good. You know, I was wondering when you were going to give up. I hope Lexi gave you enough of a glimpse into your tragic future."

"I haven't given up, Stefan. I still have hope." Stepping forward, she kisses him lightly on the cheek. "Feel something, anything, Stefan. Fight for it. I don't want to love a ghost for the rest of my life."