Chicago, IL

Stefan tugged at his skintight black leather pants and red mesh tank as he stepped inside the club, bass thumping a slow rhythm. He didn't believe Katherine would really be here, in this city, with these people, but this was the only lead Klaus had been willing to give him before he released him on his mission. The only compulsion- "Don't contact your brother or friends. Bring me Katerina Petrova." Klaus had watched Stefan's brain trying to work out a loophole and was satisfied to see him drawing a blank.

As Stefan glanced at the bar and watched several people drink what appeared to be Bloody Marys, he felt a pair of arms encircling him from behind. A pixie of a girl with shock white hair stood looking at him, her lipstick (intentionally?) smudged from her lips. As she smiled, slowly, Stefan could see her incisors were sharpened to a point. Still, he could sense her heart beating and heard the rush of blood through her veins as she worked out what to say." Stefan shook his head in a combination of disgust and dismay. He couldn't believe it. Klaus was right- these people had taken groupie fanaticism to an entirely new level- these people were pretending to be blood sucking vampires.

"Ohhhh, New Blood" the girl whispered in his ear. "You look yummy. Want to dance?"

Stefan swallowed the pity that had sprung forth as he studied the girl. "I'm actually looking for someone, maybe you can help? Olive skin, dark hair and eyes, may be going by the name Katherine."

The girl looked a bit dazed as she responded "No, I'm sorry. Doesn't sound familiar. I actually have to go now." Then, winking, she said "Enjoy the night."

Recognizing the girls reaction and suddenly suspicious that the people in the club were compelled, Stefan took one more lap around the club before he headed for the door. He didn't even notice the beautiful Eastern European smirking from the balcony section. Katherine knew had Stefan right where she wanted him- chasing her.

A young man approached Stefan as he strode up the alley. Though clearly frightened, he spoke. "I heard you asking about Katherine. I know where you might find her. She has been staying with a friend of mine in Connecticut- New Haven. Ask for Joseph."

Mystic Falls, VA

Elena awoke a few hours later, still curled into an overstuffed leather chair in the Salvatore's library. A copy of Frankenstein fallen to the floor beside her. At first she couldn't place what had torn her from her dream when the smell wafted again through the air- it was a smell she knew immediately and she raced down the hall and stairwell. Finally reaching her destination, Elena leaned into the doorframe as she hugged herself. Tomato, garlic, and parsley filled her senses as she watched Damon rolling out pasta dough. Elena couldn't stop herself from returning Damon's grin as he walked towards the entrance and spoonfed her a taste of the sauce

"Does it need more onion?"

"Nope, it's perfect. Is there anything I can do to help?" Elena said a bit shocked at how quickly Damon was embracing being human.

A couple hours later Damon and Elena sat talking, the remnants of their delicious pasta pushed aside. It was a nice, easy conversation-a first for them considering the type of drama that usually made up their lives. Elena couldn't stop thinking of just how easy it was, sitting with Damon, talking about everything-from his first kiss to his favorite game as a child. For the first time, she was getting to know the "real" Damon. The human Damon. He had been right- she would've liked him "before" as well.

Despite his best efforts not to, Damon couldn't stop himself from drawing nearer to her. From finding pleasure in the sound of her laughter, pleasure in knowing he could be the one to make her laugh.

And that night, when Damon went to sleep, he dreamt of living life as a human. So long as Elena was by his side, he was strangely comforted by the thought.