Elena didn't realize where they were going until she saw the hospital in front of her. She stopped short, surprised. "Why did you bring me here?"

Damon looked confused, "Where else would I bring you?"

"But Katherine is here," Elena pointed out, unnecessarily.

"She was here," Damon corrected. "She left with John when she sensed that we were approaching."

"Oh." Elena still didn't move.

Damon took a few steps, then realized she wasn't following him. He walked back and stood in front of her, searching her gaze. "What's wrong?"

"I—" Elena's voice caught, and she couldn't continue. What could she have said anyway? I don't want anymore bad news tonight? What if Jeremy still hasn't woken up? What if Caroline's surgery has gone wrong? What if Katherine has found Isobel already? What if I never see my birth mother again?

Suddenly, she felt extremely lightheaded. She swayed on the spot, watching the scene dance before her as her vision clouded over.

"Elena!" Was that Damon? He sounded so far away…

She was distinctly aware of someone catching her as she fell, then she remembered no more.


"Now wasn't that a nice meal?" Katherine cooed, patting John's head.

John growled, glaring up at her as blood ran down his fangs. He threw the lifeless body from his arms, staring down at the girl in disbelief. "What—what did you make me do? You Compelled me!"

"Vampires can't Compel other vampires, honey. You drained that poor girl all on your own," Katherine smiled, enjoying John's horror. "How does it feel?" she whispered softly, her eyes glinting with excitement. "Can you feel the life flowing through your veins...It's amazing, isn't it?"

"Oh god," he breathed, stepping away from Katherine. "Is—is she dead?"

Katherine sighed and knelt down to feel the girl's pulse. Nothing. "I think she'll live," Katherine lied easily. "Let's go."

"Where are we going now?" John grumbled, following Katherine deeper into the woods.

"Believe it or not, I didn't just come back to Mystic Falls to make you one of the undead," Katherine snapped. "And now you get to help me with my plans."

"What plans?"

"You'll see."


Elena blinked twice, staring at the harsh overhead lights. She looked at the white walls, realizing she wasn't in her room. She sat up slowly, recognizing that she in the hospital.

"Thank god, you're awake!"

"Aunt Jenna?" Elena asked in confusion. "What am I doing here? What happened?"

Jenna came closer to her bed, looking worried. "Damon said he found you outside the hospital, passed out. He brought you in...Elena, why would you sneak out of the house like that? Do you have any idea how worried I've been? What if something had happened?"

There was a knock on the door, and Stefan walked in. He smiled slightly when he saw Elena was awake, but his expression became serious almost immediately. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," Elena said impatiently. "What about Jeremy? Caroline?"

"Caroline is still in surgery," Stefan answered, glancing at Jenna. "And Jeremy...he'll be okay."

Jenna smiled, brushing Elena's hair out of her face. "Apparently he tried to..." she stopped. "The doctors said they had to pump his stomach. He's resting now."

"What?" Elena frowned, "Was he drinking or something?"

"No, sweetie. But, he'll be okay. That's all that matters," Jenna got up, nodding to Stefan. "I'll go let the doctor know that Elena woke up."

Elena waited till her aunt had left before turning to Stefan with a frown. "What really happened? Why am I here?"

Stefan didn't come any closer, and hovered by the door. "The shock...the doctor said it seemed like you had a delayed reaction to the events of tonight, and your body couldn't handle the pressure anymore."

"Ah, is my favorite damsel in distress feeling better?" Damon asked, suddenly appearing next to Stefan.

Elena rolled her eyes at his phrase, but she smiled, "I am. Thank you."

"At your service, milady," Damon grinned, blurring until he was standing in front of her. He picked up her hand, and gently kissed the back of it. Elena's sparkling eyes told him that she, too, remembered that he had done the same when they had first met.

Stefan shifted, clearly uncomfortable with the situation in front of him. "Everyone's waiting to see how you are," he said pointedly. "I'll go get them."

As soon as Stefan left, Damon dropped the act, and looked at Elena seriously. "I already told Stefan and Alaric about what Isobel said."

"What did they say?"

"They got all broody with each other," Damon quipped, winking at Elena.

Some of the tension she had been holding released from her body, and Elena relaxed. If Damon could still joke around, then things couldn't be that bad, right?

Elena lay back sleepily, and smiled at Damon. "Thank you. For being there when Isobel..." she trailed off. "Just...thanks..." she drifted off, falling into a dreamless sleep.

Damon stared down at her, his expression free of the facade he presented to the rest of the world.

Feeling a twinge in his heart, he gently stroked her cheek. After a moment, Damon's expression hardened and he swore to himself that he would personally put an end to Katherine.

Even if it was the last thing he ever did.