1x8 162 Candles
Stefan wakes up when his book falls on the floor. He hears some noise. Stefan jumps, "Damon?" A Vampire Attacks him. "Lexi!" he yells in genuine joy, a joy that has been too rare in his life.
Claire hearing the commotion from the other room rushes in, "Lex!" she screams in joy wrapping her arms around her good friend.
Lexi cracks a giant smile at the sight of her other best friend and partner in crime, "Hi. Angel." The two women exchange warm hugs, an action that washes peace over Claire.
Stefan looked at Lexi curiously, "What are you doing here?"
Lexi stared back at him incredulously, turning to Claire, she said, "Is he serious? How could you even ask that Stefan?"
"I missed you." Stefan said genuinely maintaining a bright smile on his face. Lexi always had a way of breaking through his self-deprecating and morose thoughts.
Claire scoffed, "I totally missed you more, Lex." The pair of women shared a look that indicated they would talk later about the texts that Claire had sent her about her brothers antics of late. Neither wanted to ruin the obviously jubilant mood that Stefan was currently in, a rarity.
"Happy Birthday to my favorite set of twins." She says, drawing the pair in for a group hug.
Claire laughs and retorts, "Aren't we the only pair of twins you know?"
Stefan Claire and Lexi are reminscing in Stefan's room.
Lexi rolled her eyes, "Stop. I don't know, some freak shot at me with wooden bullet. I bail in under sixty. And why is a news reporter hunting vampires?"
Stefan shook his head, "I don't know. Who knows about us? That guy did. There could be others. Do me a favor while you're here, please be careful."
"Yeah, this town has a history of being extra trigger happy when it comes to the supernatural." Claire chimed in. She loved Lexi, she truly did. Her friend was one of the best people she had ever known, sincerely kind, compassionate, funny and yet able to give tough love when necessary. She owed Lexi more than she probably could ever repay, after all it was Lexi that helped the twins through the early times of vampire life. It was Lexi that had encouraged her to forgive Stefan.
Lexi shrugged, "Why stay? I'm headed to New-York for the week-end .Bon Jovi in the Garden."Wanted dead or alive", it's our theme song. It'll be blast."
Stefan laughed at the memory of that night, "Do you think he would actually remember us? That was a pretty crazy week-end huh?"
Lexi giggled, "We can make him remember us. Come on, let's go!"
"I'm this simile, I could get away with everything." Claire quipped . Mystic Falls was dangerous place for them. There was too much history, too much danger, too much drama. She knew that the longer they stayed the greater the inevitable death toll would be. It wasn't just Damon and Stefan that she worried about but Elena's fate would be the death of them all.
"What's keeping you here?" Lexi asked curiously. Claire had filled her in on a bit of Stefan's life, given that Stefan was notoriously scant with details, but she didn't understand why Stefan would risk his life and Claire's over some girl.
Stefan smiled at thinking immediately of Elena, "I told you her name is Elena."
Lexi chuckled, "Let's hope she's better than the last girl you got all hung up on."
"You'd be surprised." Claire muttered under her breath sarcastically. She truly liked Elena, but there was something about this situation that did not sit well with the hybrid girl. Her duty was to protect the Bennet's and her family above all, and Elena's fate would be inevitably tragic like Katherine's.
Stefan scoffed, "You didn't even know Katherine."
Claire scoffed, "But I did, and you and Kat were not a good idea. " Keeping Katherine from her brothers was the best deal that she had ever made. She cared for her selfish and slightly sociopathic friend. She certainly owed her for her help as during her human life, and the various odds and ends during her immortal life, but after all this time, Claire couldn't help but feel like Katherine was the worst thing that had ever happened to her family, especially to Stefan.
Lexi rolled her eyes, "Cause if I did, I'd kick her ass, the little bitch. Speaking of... where's Damon?"
Claire shrugged, "Who knows, hopefully in a galaxy far far away, annoying someone else."
Stefan added, "Inflicting misery somewhere. You gonna be ok here alone? Cause I got some things I gotta take care of."
"I have to check in on my witchling charge, sacred duty and all that crap. Besides, I also need to stop by and see Sheriff Forbes." Claire chimed in.
Lexi smiled at the pair, "Look at you two, making friends and social plans even if it's planning to go lie to the police. Claire, I am proud of your influence on dear old Steffy. Besides, It's not exactly like I can go anywhere. And you guys are the only ones with these nifty little daylight rings. I'll have a mood ring form seventy five trade ya."
Stefan shook his head, "Doesn't work that way and you know it."
Claire looked at Lexi, "You know, I'll hook you up. I found the spell from an old friend's grimoire. I'll get it to you before you leave."
"That would be one of the greatest things to ever happen to me." Lexi said.
Stefan shot her a quick smile, "Hey Lex, I'm really glad that you came here."
Lexi motioned for the pair to stop for a second, "What are we doing for your birthday? It's not every day my best pals turn a hundred and sixty-two years old."
"Really?" Claire quipped.
Lexi gushed, "Oh yeah. It's going to be an epic celebration."
"Just what we need, more excitement." Stefan retorted sarcastically. Claire threw a pillow at him that managed to whack him straight in the face.
"Come on old man, live in the moment….Celebrate just this once." Claire teased her too serious brother.
[Sheriff's Office]
Sheriff Forbes is asking questions about Vicki. Sheriff Forbes asked the group, "Where did Vicki say she was going?"
Jeremy shook his head, "She didn't."
Sheriff Forbes asked, "Did she tell her brother where she's going?"
Matt replied, "No she didn't say anything to me. She told Jeremy to tell me that she was leaving town."
Sheriff Forbes continued, "Is there anyone I can talk to that may know what happened to her prior to her living town?"
Matt added, Stefan Salvatore may know he came by the house to see her, but she wouldn't talk to him. Claire Salvatore also tried to help her the other day when she was all strung out.
Sheriff Forbes asked, "What was he doing here?"
Stefan nodded, "I was trying to help, I knew that Elena was worried about her brother, he was dating Vicki and she had drug problem so I tried to help."
Sheriff Forbes asked, "So you got involved because Elena asked you to?"
Elena added, "I asked Stefan and Claire to help. I thought that by helping Vicki, they were helping my brother.
Sheriff Forbes continued her investigation by asking, "What was her behavior like those last few days before she left?"
Matt chimed in, "Up and down, very sketchy like she was coming down from some major party."
Claire added, "I don't know her super well, but she seemed really on edge, deeply troubled. I was really worried"
Sheriff Forbes asked the group, "Any signs of aggression or violence?"
Jeremy shook his head, "No that I remember."
Stefan shook his head, "No."
Elena added, "No."
"No" Claire added.
Sheriff Forbes continued, "So you believe that Vicky has really left town?"
Matt nodded, "Yes."
Stefan, "Yes."
Elena added, "Yes."
"Yeah, I think she just wanted a new start." Claire said
Jeremy:I'll miss her but ...I think it's for the best.
Stefan is waiting Elena in front of the police station, and he spots Matt Donovan also coming out of the Sheriff's office. Stefan turned to Matt, "I was tryin' to help her Matt. That's all."
Elena finally comes to Jeremy and Jenna, she said, "'ll meet you guys at the car."
Jenna looked back and forth from Stefan to Elena and said, "Ok "
"You're okay?" Stefan asked concerned.
Elena nodded, "I don't think the sheriff suspected anything . Jeremy had no memory at all . All he knew was what Damon made him know."
Stefan continued, "Thank you."
"I can't do this Stefan. Every time I look at Matt or Jeremy ,all I think that Vicki is never gonna come back. And they'll never know why. Around you and your family people get hurt and people die. I can't i just... it's just too much…" Elena pled
"Why don't we go somewhere and talk about it." Stefan offered
Elena shook her head, "No, Stefan you have to stay away from me."
[In Stefan's room]
Lexi is sleeping, and Damon wakes her by throwing a pillow at her.
"Hmmm , Huh." Lexi said as she wakes from her slumber.
"Boo." Damon teased menacingly
Lexi rolled her eyes, "Go to hell." She said sharply annoyed at his antics.
"Hello Lexi. What an unexpected surprise. Why are you glaring at me already?" He retorted whining
Lexi chuckled, "I am hoping that you will spontaneously combust, and unexpected Surprise? I think the wrong brother went back at high school. "
Damon smirked, "Nah, that power is solely reserved for my sister. How long you here for?"
"Just for Stefan's and Claire's Birthday." Lexi answered brightly at the thought of her friends.
Damon quipped, "You mean, you didn't come all this way to see me."
Lexi rolled her eyes, "That's it Damon .After a century I finally realize death mean nothing without you. do me."
Damon whined, "Why are you so mean to me."
"Have you met you? You're not nice person." She returned, "Ah Damon could you be stupid somewhere that's away from me and the twins now."
Damon continued, "Because I'm a vampire."
Lexi scoffed, "But you're only the bad parts."
"Teach me to be good." He said moving to try to kiss Lexi's neck, but Lexi takes him by the neck.
"I'm older and that mean stronger." Lexi growled
"Sorry." He coughed out.
Lexi smirked in pleasure at Damon's words, "Don't ruin my time with my friends cause I'll hurt you and you know I can do it."
Damon continues to cough, "Yeah."
At Bonnie's house, Bonnie is packing her suitcase.
Bonnie's Grand Mother smiles, "You're leavin'?"
Bonnie nodded "Dad doesn't like it when I stay here too much."
"Because he misses you or because he doesn't trust me. Your father's problem is that he lacks imagination. He thinks I fill your head with my whitchy juju . " Sheila crackles in laughter
"He's right." Bonnie replied
Bonnie's Grand Mother: He's always rights that's his other problem. You need to be wearing that.
"I gotta give it back to Caroline it doesn't belong to me." Bonnie argued
Bonnie's Grand Mother shook her head, "Yes it does. It was your ancestor's and now it yours. "
Bonnie continues astonished, "Emily was your ancestor to0. Why don't you wear it?" She asks confused.
Bonnie's Grand Mother retorts, "Because it didn't find me, it found you, protected you. A witch's talisman is a powerful tool , and don't be givin' that back to anybody."
Bonnie scoffed, "I just wish it was prettier."
Sheila laughed, "Don't we all. Now you need to check in with Claire."
"Why is she, our guardian? Why is she in our lives? Why does she even care?" Bonnie asked concerned. She didn't understand why Claire was so involved in their lives.
"Clarissa Salvatore's line runs back ages. Her ancestor, Eleanor Salvatore, was one of the most powerful witches the world has ever seen. Her brother committed an unforgivable offense against an ancestor of our line, but Eleanor bound her line to ours, choosing to condemn the wrongs of her brother and instead offer protection to her friend and ultimately the world. Her brother cursed his sister for her perceived betrayal, and bound the Salvatore magic to existence in one person every one hundred years. Each Salvatore witch has been a friend and a guardian to the Bennet's and other worthy, compassionate witches during their lifetimes. It was Clarissa that broke the curse that was put on her line by becoming immortal, and thereby extending the power of the Salvatore witch beyond one lifetime. Clarissa Salvatore also has a fate beyond her title of the Salvatore witch, a fate that allowed our ancestor, Emily Bennett to push beyond the boundaries of magic to create a truly unique hybrid, fully witch, fully vampire. She is not channeling the magic of her vampirism, though I'd wager that she can, but her connection with her line and with nature was never severed." Sheila recounted.
"How do you know all of this Gran? Does Claire know?" Bonnie asked curiously.
"There was a prophecy from a dying Bennet witch a thousand years ago that spoke of her: the hybrid Salvatore who would redeem and love a monster, and by doing so would both save and fundamentally alter the world. This woman would break the curse left on her line for ages and would be a restore balance and justice to the supernatural world. It was this prophecy that the ancestors reminded Emily Bennett of, as of what Claire know, she knows very 's best not to know too much about our own futures" Sheila continued
At Elena's home , Elena is sitting on the couch. Jenna comes and sits next to her. Jeremy is writing something behind them.
Jenna looked at Elena's sad face, "You're wallowing."
Elena retorted, "So are you. …"
Jenna shook her head, "My wallow is legitimate. I was dumped."
Elena scoffed, "Yeah. Well Logan's a jerk."
"You didn't get a brush-off e-mail saying:' I'm leaving town see ya.'" She replied harshly the sting of her brush off from her ex still not sitting well with her.
Jeremy called, "Wanna keep it down over there."
Jenna replied, "Why? What are you doing?"
Jeremy pointed down to his books, "Homework."
Elena did a double take, "Since when do you do homework?" She asked
Jeremy shrugged, "I gotta finish this. I'm way behind and I have a quiz tomorrow so…"
Elena turned back to Jenna, "What do you think? Alien?"
Jenna nodded, "Some sort of replicant."
"He can hear you" Jeremy called back to them
At Sheriff's office, Sheriff Forbes is dealing with paper, she receive a call. "Yeah so send him in." She says "Mister Salvatore come on in. Could you get the door for me?" She asks as Damon walks through her office door.
Damon nods, "Sure."
Sheriff Forbes continues, "I understand from Mrs. Lockwood that your uncle's is out the town."
"Yes he is. But I spoke to Zach . He filled me in and asked me if I could bring this to you." Damon said handing the Sheriff a plastic baggie full of the vampire poisonous herbs.
Sheriff Forbes looks pleased at his gift, "Vervain."
Damon nods, "That's all we have at the moment, I hope it's enough."
Sheriff Forbes replies dryly, "It's a small circle ...Founding families , a few city officials."
Damon asks, "And your deputies, of course right? Are we any closer?"
Sheriff Forbes shakes her head, "I think our facts are wrong . We've always believed that vampires can only come out in the dark. What if that's changed?"
At these words, every cell in Damon's body tenses. His plan only works if vampires aren't exposed to Mystic Falls yet again. "So is that even possible"
"We've exhausted every other option. We have to consider the vampire may be walking around during the day. Right in front of us." She continues
"Hum." He says, "So what's the next step?"
Sheriff Forbes continues, "We are looking at anyone new to town, since the deaths began. Should turn up a suspect or two."
Damon adds, "And I of course will do anything I can to help."
Bonnie and Claire came in Elena's Bedroom.
Bonnie asks, "You Up?"
Elena shakes her head, "No Bonnie, no, no."
Bonnie continues, "Why haven't you call me back?"
Claire added, "You've been dodging my calls to chica. 'Fess up, what's the stitch?"
Elena almost laughs at Claire's words, "I'm sorry." She tells the both of them
Bonnie rolls her eyes, "Are you gonna stay in there forever?"
Elena nods, "Yeah."
Claire and Bonnie trade looks, "Full scale intervention?" Claire asks.
Bonnie nods, "Move over. We're officially worried. What's going on?"
Elena: I'm tired of thinking ... of talking I...
Bonnie continued, "Can I get one-line version so I can at least pretend to be helpful?"
"It was something to do with my brother right, you both have been sporting kicked puppy faces and have been moping around your houses." Claire added
Elena nodded, "Stefan and I broke up."
"I'm so sorry .Are you ok? Right stupid question. I know I've been kind of MIA when you need me the most. I suck." Bonnie rambled concernedly.
"Bonnie, you don't suck, you have just had some extra responsibilities." Claire added, not wanting to spill Bonnie's secret for her. As much as she trusted Elena was different from Katherine, one Petrova resulted in the death of far too many Bennetts. "I do miss you with Stefan, he was less moody and sulked far less often." Claire quipped
Elena looked curiously at her pair of friends, "You wanna make it up to me. Get my mind off it. " she said
Bonnie turned to Claire, "Can you help?" She asked "Make sure that I do it right."
Claire nodded knowing that her young Bennett was unsure and unconfident and need her support.
Bonnie turned back to Elena, "Just remember you asked for it ." She and Claire destroyed a pillow.
"Hey." Elena barked in surprise.
Claire shot her a look, "Be patient. This is worth a mangled pillow or two."
Elena nodded, "Ok." She said
Bonnie said, "I need you to swear you to secrecy."
Elena gave her a look, before saying, "It's kind of a bad week for that kind of stuff."
Bonnie continued, "Swear cause I'm not suppose to be showing you this."
Elena turned to Claire would nodded that Elena should just comply, "Okay, I swear." Elena replied
"There's no windows open right?" Claire asked
Elena nodded, "Right."
Bonnie continued, "There's no fan. No air conditioning."
"None. What are you guys doing?" She asked
Bonnie replied, "Grams just showed me this. You're gonna love it. You ready?." Claire and Bonnie began to chant, and the feathers from the pillow began to dance in the air, creating a breathtaking snow like effect.
Elena looked shocked, "Bonnie, Claire what's going on?"
Bonnie replied, "It's true Elena .Everything my grams told me."
Elena declared, "It's impossible."
"Is it?" Claire asked, "With everything that you know about the world, is it truly impossible?"
Bonnie shook her head, "But it's true. I'm a witch." Pointing to Claire, she said, "And she's one too, or part one, it's complicated."
Elena smiled gently, "I believe you."
Caroline meets Damon on the street. "Look dungeon boy I'm done being your little slave girl . You seriously hurt me ,And I will be damned if you think.." She trails off as he begins to compel her. Her whole demeanor shifts from angry to almost strangely delighted to see him. "Oh My god where have you been?I t's really good to see you. "
Damon smirks at the drastic change in her response. Compulsion never really got old to him. "Much better .You wanna throw a party at the grill tonight."
Caroline protests, "Oh why don't you do it."
Damon continued, "Because then Stefan, Claire and their BFF won't come. I need a lot of people. Big crowd. Invite everyone."
"And why am I having this party?" She asked
Damon replied, "Because you're gonna help me solve this town's little vampire problem. And I want my crystal back."
Caroline shook her head, "But Bonnie has it."
"I know that. Get it from her. " he said
Lexi and Stefan are speaking.
Lexi continued, "So this Elena girl. She'll come around. I'm sure of it. Have you had sex yet?"
"No" Stefan replied sharply
Lexi chuckled, "Sex always work. Mean you'll rock her world so hard with your vamp sex. She'll be yours forever forever."
Stefan shook his head, "Yeah, but see, this isn't about sex or... or compulsion or any of our other tricks. She has to want to be with me on her own terms."
Lexi giggled, "Waouh that sounded all mature and grown-up."
Stefan nodded, "I'm not getting any older."
She takes some blood. "Want some?' She offers pointing to the blood bag.
Stefan shakes his head, "No thank you." He said firmly
Lexi put her hands up, "Relax I didn't kill anyone for it. This phlebotomist i went out with a few times, he's my supplier. Oh don't judge ok? Listen, I tried the animal diet lasted three weeks."
"It doesn't matter. Because if I started again ... I just don't know if…" he trailed off.
"You could stop, and if you couldn't that what Claire and I are for to help you maintain control." Lexi encouraged
"Lexi I'd never judge you." He continued
Lexi quipped, "Nah you would just judge your sister. I'm just jealous of your restraint. I have none. I delight in hedonism. Speaking of which, what are we doing tonight?" She asked excitedly.
Damon popped his head into the doorway, "Funny you should ask." He added
Lexi rolled her eyes, "Well I wasn't asking you."
Damon continued on as if he hadn't heard her. "There's a party at the grill. You'll love , Tacky wait staff, All Stefan and Claire's friends, even if they are mostly our Miss Congeniality, Claire-Bear."
Stefan sighed, "Oh I don't want a Birthday party. That seems more like a Claire thing, she loves the gifts and the Toal adoration of everyone around her."
Damon shrugged, "Well,It's not for you. It's a party party. No one's gonna know it's your birthday. Caroline did promise to make everyone serenade Claire, and Caroline's throwing it for her."
Stefan threatened, "Damon stay away from Caroline."
Damon continued on as if he hadn't been threatened, "We're friends, it's cool. It's important for the town to see us out and about like normal folk. We need to blend. " He looks at Lexi's stock of blood.I prefer mine at 98.6. Stefan's threats didn't scare him, unlike Claire, Stefan had very little teeth to back up his barks.
"Let's Go. Please?" Lexi pleaded exasperated
[Back to Bonnie and Elena in Elena's bedroom.]
Bonnie continues, "It's Weird huh? after all these times joking about being psychic. I really am a witch. You don't think I'm a freak do you?"
Elena shook her head, "No of course not. Bonnie I just ...don't understand though. If your grams asked you to keep all this secret, why did you tell me ?
Bonnie added, "You're my best friend. I can't keep secrets from you. She then points at Claire, "You, I had to tell and talk about this with. Speaking of that, Claire and I need to go on a walk and talk."
[Lexi going out of a shower.]
Lexi pads out of the shower, "I'm almost ready."
Stefan scoffs, "I can't believe you actually think that we should go on this thing. Also where is Claire? I haven't seen her in ages, and I thought she would be haunting my shadows, micromanaging my every move."
Lexi rolled her eyes at Stefan's dramatics, "Claire went to catch up with some friends. Sorry to asking you to run outside midday without your ring.I mean seriously it's a party."
"A Party that Damon wants us to go to .So My question is why?I think he's up to something." He continued
Lexi shrugged, "Who cares. What can he possibly of all those people in a public place."
"He knows how to keep a low. Believe me." He quipped back suspecting the worst of his brother.
Lexi nodded patiently, "Ok so he'll behave. Come on. One day a year I get you guys, uninterrupted twin time, one day that you're promised me to be not brooding and existing in your own head."
Stefan smirked, "It's my birthday yeah?"
Lexi shook her head, "It's my day and that guy that jump naked in the Trevi fountain; And got drunk on the torch of the statue of Liberty. That guy can take a break from all of his worrying one night. And go to a stupid party with your wonderful twin sister that loves you dearly. So quit your whining and go get ready."
Stefan sighed, "Fine"
Elena arrives at Stefan's place. She knocks on the door.
Lexi calls as she's wringing out her hair from the shower. "It's open, come on in."
Elena walks in, and as she catches a glimpse of Stefan's girlfriend, Lexi's face fills with surprise, "Oh My God!How...How...Who?" She stammers.
Elena did a double take, looking at Lexi up and down as she was completely clad in a bath towel. "I'm Elena who are you?" She asked suspiciously
Lexi smiled brightly, "Lexi a friend of Stefan's and Claire's."
Elena looking around Lexi said, "Is he here?"
Lexi shook her head, "He's in the shower, do you want to wait?"
Elena scoffed, "No."
Lexi nods still in shock, "I'll tell him you stopped by."
Elena shook her head, "That's okay."
Lexi goes to Stefan's Bedroom, she seems furious. Lexi yells, "Are you out of your freaking mind?"
Stefan looking shocked said, "What are you talking about?"
"I've just met Elena, you have some serious explaining to do. You have some serious emotion damage." Lexi said pissed that Stefan would chose to go down this route again, and that he would drag Claire into it as well.
Stefan shook his head, "No it's not what you think, she's not Katherine."
Lexi scoffed, "So they're related cause they can be twins. You are aware of what twins look like, right, considering you, you know have one."
Stefan shrugged, "I don't know."
Lexi continued irritated, "You don't know or you didn't find out?"
Stefan shrugged, "No, maybe I don't want to know. I have no desire to tie Elena to Katherine." Noticing the skeptical look that Lexi was shooting him, he continues, "Ok yes, yes the resemblance is what drew me in .But that's it. Katherine and Elena may look the same at the outside, but on the inside they are completely different."
Lexi chuckled, "So Elena is not a raging Bitch then huh?"
Stefan shook his head, "No. Elena is ... Elena's warm and she's...she's kind, and caring and she's selfless and it's real and honestly when I'm around her... I completely forget what I am."
Lexi gasped, "Oh My god! You're in love with her."
Stefan nodded, "Yeah I am."
"And Claire, how does she feel about all of this, or do you even care about that?" Lexi asked her friend honestly.
"My sister does not get to choose how I run my life." Stefan ground out. He resented Claire's role in his life as his sober companion. He didn't need her approval of his choices to live his life.
"Yeah, that's a healthy way to treat your sister that loves you despite everything." Lexi said sarcastically. "You told her not to tell me right?" She continues still pissed off at Stefan.
"It's none of her damn business Lexi." Stefan rerouted sharply, his voice full of resentment and anger.
[At the Mystic Grill Party]
Caroline smiled as she walked up to Damon, "Amazing party right?'
Damon smirked, "Glad you thought of it. Celebrates the twins in an oh so perfect way."
Caroline continued, oblivious to Damon's sarcasm, "Well, are you having good time?"
Damon's face turned hard, "Do you have my crystal?"
Caroline shook her head, "No."
Damon shrugged callously, "Then I'm not having a good time. Get my crystal or else, Caroline."
[Damon sees Lexi]
"Where's my brother?" Damon asked.
Lexi shrugged, "He said he'd meet me here. Claire's on her way too, by the way.
I'm sure she'd be glad to know you thought of her."
Damon smirked, "Buy you a ..."
Elena opens the door to her home, Claire is behind it.
"Hey Elena." She said with a bright smile.
"What are you doing here?" The Gilbert girl asked her surprised at her presence.
"Lexi texted me that you came by and you seemed upset. She figured that I would be a better one to handle it then Stefan." Claire replied gently.
"Is Lexi, the girl in the towel?" Elena asked sharply.
"The girl in the towel?. Oh no no no no not like that at all with Stefan. She's not exactly just a girl either. She's just 350 years old. She's mine and Stefan's best friends." Claire said trying to allay Elena's obvious jealousy.
Elena sputtered, "You mean she's a... Stefan." Claire looked over to see what Elena was looking at. Stefan had walked up the drive and to the porch. He stared back and forth between his sister and Elena obviously trying to extrapolate what their conversation had covered.
"Lexi's my oldest friend. Nothing romantic .Ever." Stefan added. Lexi had told him on his way over that she had a run in with Elena. He wanted to make sure that Claire kept the details down to a need to know. He didn't think that Elena needed to know right now that she resembled his undead ex-girlfriend.
Claire could sense the awkwardness in the air, and decided to make a hasty escape. She need to find and talk to Bonnie anyway, "Well I'm going to take my exit and let you crazy kids hash this one out. Elena call me later and give me ALL the details."
Elena was bothered by Claire's abrupt exit. She could sense some tension between the siblings and it was awkward to say the least. "Okay, well ...she kept stop staring at me it was weird."
Stefan shrugged, "Yeah well I've talk about you a lot so...I guess she felt like she knew you. So why'd you come by?"
Elena shook her head, "It was; it was some mistake."
Stefan looked frustrated, "Elena, talk to me."
Elena shook her head, "I can't. Stefan I can't and that's the problem I'm keeping all these secrets from everyone. I can't even tell my best friend. Do you know how hard that is? It's like I need to talk to someone but the only person I can talk to is you ...and. . Claire."
Stefan nodded, "I want you to know that I will always be here for you .You can come to me about anything okay? Claire too."
Elena nodded, "What's up with you two by the way, usually it seems like you and Claire are thick as thieves, and it seems like there is a wedge forming between you."
Stefan groaned, "Let's just say that my sister and I have very different ideas on how to handle Damon."
Elena rolled her eyes, "How very specific Stefan, well, thank you for coming by."
Stefan smiled at her, "Hey do you need a ride to the grill tonight?"
Elena asked, "Are you going to Caroline's party?"
Stefan grimaced, "Lexi's dragging us and ...it's my birthday, and well Claire's too."
Elena laughed at the thought of Stefan partying it up. "Really? Waouh happy birthday then."
Stefan replied, "Thank you actually I ...I think I'm gonna stay in tonight."
Stefan turned to leave, "Well have... have a good night."
[Outside of Bonnie's House]
"So how are you doing with all of this? The omens and stuff, it most seem pretty overwhelming." Claire asked gently
"It's crazy to think that it all may be real, you know. I always thought that Gram's stories were just that stories. "Bonnie replied. "And what are you Claire?" She was asking Claire to see what she truly did know about her supposed mystical destiny. Gran didn't think she had known much, but it seemed like Claire knew much more than Gran suspected.
"I'm a hybrid part witch, part vampire. I discovered I was a witch around your age. Your ancestor Emily taught me how to control my power. There was a prophecy that I would someday become a hybrid and the ancestors ordered Emily to summon a great deal of magic to preserve my witch exact details of the prophecy, no one has been willing to tell me because they think it will jeopardize the world or some insanity like that. In an unfortunate turn of events, all of the blood was later sucked out of my body. Given that I had been dosed with vampire blood twice daily, I became a hybrid."
"If you are a hybrid, how can I trust you?" Bonnie said
"I swore a binding promise to protect those of the Bennett bloodline. I am incapable of harming them due to my oath to Emily. I will do everything in my power to keep you and yours safe. It's the promise of my ancestors, our fate is bound to protect yours" Claire said kindly. She meant every word of what she had told Bonnie. She was physically incapable of harming Bennett's as long as they didn't attack her.
[At the Mystic Grill]
People having fun. Bonnie and Claire are dancing and chatting it up.
Caroline walks up to the pair, "Bonnie I've been looking for you. I'm totally sorry to do this I know it's so Indian giver and, we're not supposed to say that anymore but I need my crystal back."
Bonnie looked puzzled, "Why? You said you hated it."
Claire did a double take at Caroline's words. It was suspicious that she would have an interest in the Bennett family heirloom. "Care, why exactly do you want it back?"
Caroline shrugged, "then I saw it on you and I realize how great it is and I've got three outfits I can coordinate it with so... "
Bonnie shook her head, "I can't give it back to you."
"Well I didn't want to tell you this but I'm you friend, when you wear it make you look fat. There I said it, but it's because I'm your friend so... "Caroline said knowing that Damon would be enraged if she didn't get the necklace back.
Claire's eyes narrowed. Caroline seemed too desperate to get the necklace back. She turned to Bonnie, "Don't give it back. Something about this doesn't seem right."
Bonnie shook her head, "I'm sorry Caroline, I can't. " Her grandmother's words about the importance of the necklace rang fresh in her mind.
Caroline looked frustrated, "What do you mean you can't? Bonnie it's mine."
Claire rolled her eyes, "Actually Care, it belongs to Bonnie's family. It has for generations, nobody in particular happened to mention that to you?"
Bonnie shot a grateful look at Claire, "I thought you said it was Damon's." she asked curiously.
Caroline nodded, "It is."
"So he's the one who really wants it back. Did he happen to mention why, Care?" Claire asked. The Bennett necklace was an important talisman that had belonged to her dear friend Emily Bennett. Damon's plans for it couldn't be good and most likely would end in a massive slaughter of the townsfolk.
Caroline shook her head, "No maybe just can't tell you." She turned to Bonnie, "... are you wearing polyester?" She then reached over and tried to pull the necklace off of Bonnie's neck, but it shocked her. She jumped back a little.
Bonnie looked shocked at the altercation, "You were really going to pull it from my neck. What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Bonnie, let's go. Care obviously needs a moment to consider her life choices." Claire replied. Make no mistake, no matter her fondness for the insecure blonde, she had a duty to protect the Bennett bloodline.
Caroline cried "Argh!" before storming off to find Damon.
Stefan comes into the grill and runs into Matt. He was frustrated that Damon's poor choices continually caused him, and his sister could be bothered to care. "Matt, just hear me out please I just trying to help Vicki, I went through something similar once, I'm really sorry."
Matt nodded, "Don't be it's not the first time she's run off. Turn out Vicki's like her mother I can't count on either of them, thanks for trying."
Damon runs into Caroline. He was still extremely angry that his necklace had fallen into the Bennett witchling's hands. The only worse option would be if Claire had possession of the necklace, she would never have let it go. Damon angrily said to Caroline, "Where is it?"
Caroline shrugged innocently trying to calm some of Damon's rage, "Bonnie won't give it to me."
Damon smirked and grunt out, "So rip it off her neck."
"I tried. It shocked me." Caroline protested.
"Damn it. Why does it do that? I need that crystal. And Claire, what does she know?" He asked infuriated that Caroline had managed to screw up that portion of the plan.
"She knows that you want the necklace. She immediately surmised that you were the one that wanted me to get it. How did she know?" Caroline asked puzzled by Claire's weird knowledge.
"Damn it!" Damon swore frustrated by his sister's intervention. "She's a damn walking encyclopedia of Bennett information, you only had two jobs. One was to get the necklace and the other was to keep it covert from my sister."
"Why have you been like this? I'm so good to you and I'd do anything for you. It's just some stupid necklace." Caroline said trying to get him to lavish attention on her.
Damon shook his head, "No you are the only stupid thing here .And shallow. And useless."
Lexi is dancing and, Stefan finds her.
Lexi laughs, "Okay,I'm gonna need a little more foot movement."
Stefan shook his head with a fond smile that was all too rare on his face, "Yeah not really interested in making a fool out of myself."
Lexi giggled, "Come on you're not that bad."
Stefan scoffed, "Do me a favor. Tell me if you see Claire with a camera phone."
Lexi sarcastically said, "Right, like I'd let that perfect blackmail opportunity slip out of Claire's grasp."
Damon get out A girl: where are we going? Boy:No one's gonna see us... They kiss each other Damon sees it. Girl shrieked in fear, "Did you hear something?"
Boy:No it's cool. There's no one coming down here. Damon bites him the girl screams.
Stefan is playing billiard with Lexi, while Damon and Elena look on.
Stefan yells, "Woo!"
Lexi retorted, "Nice!"
Elena's looking at Stefan
Damon added, "Stefan smiles alert the media. Let's make it a national holiday"
Elena shook her head in anger, "You haven't give him a lot of reasons to be happy lately. That and he's on the outs with Claire." The relationship of the twins puzzled Elena. Stefan at times seemed to resent his sister, and Claire often spoke of a time where Stefan was the perfect guy he tried to project. There was definitely more to this story than she knew, and she was determined to find out.
Damon continued angrily, "No you're right poor Stefan persecuted throughout eternity by this depraved brother and his meddling, overly supportive, does it get tiring being so righteous?" Internally he smirked at the information that a wedge was forming between his siblings. The twins always had a volatile relationship even as humans. They fought often and loudly at that. As much as his plan had currently put him in opposition to his sister, he knew that he would rather have her on his side than fighting against him. Their bond was unbreakable as humans, and as immortals, she had never quite given up on him. He was her weakness, and as much as he loathed to admit it, she was his as well.
Elena scoffed, "It flares up in the presence of psychopath."
Damon chuckled, "Have you been taking sarcasm pointers from my sister? Because Ouch! Consider this psychopath's feelings get hurt."
"What did you do to my brother?" Elena asked sharply
Damon rolled his eyes, "I'm gonna need a less vague question."
Elena continued, "When you did what you did to Jeremy's memory of Vicki, what else did you do to him?"
Damon shrugged nonchalantly, "You asked me to take away his memory of fangs and all the bad stuff. You wanted me to take away his suffering."
Elena still looked confused. How could Jeremy start acting so differently overnight? She hadn't known that compulsion could give people such drastic personality shifts. "But he's acting different he seems okay with everything and a little too okay. I mean he's studying, he's not doing drugs, he's not drinking, are you sure you didn't do something else?"
Damon shrugged "Elena, I took away the suffering."
Bonnie and Claire stop Caroline. "Caroline." Bonnie called.
"Hey, Care wait a hot minute." Claire called out to her friend. There was something about the blonde's actions from earlier that didn't quite fit. She hoped Damon had been smart enough to avoid compelling or hurting the young Forbes again.
Caroline tried to walk away, "Don't talk to me."
"Care, at least hear her out. You were pretty harsh earlier." Claire added knowing that the desperate and mean words that Caroline had spoken earlier were due to Damon's bullying.
"Care don't walk away. Let me explain." Bonnie plead.
"What is there to explain Bonnie? You got what you wanted... and something that doesn't even belong to you by the way and I get called a shallow, useless waste of space." Caroline cried out, stung still by Damon's words. The cruel taunts were things that she had thought about herself in her deepest, darkest places, and hearing someone else tell her them made her feel small and broken.
"Did Damon say that to you?" Claire ground out infuriated that Damon could spew such toxic things. Claire hadn't known Caroline for very long, but something about the seemingly shallow blonde reminded her of pre-vampire Claire. She wanted to help the blonde, wanted to be a stabilizing voice in Care's life, one that Claire had never had in her vulnerable days.
Caroline rolled her eyes, "Who do you think?"
"You know that not true, don't let him treat you like that." Bonnie said sharply.
Caroline huffed, "As opposed to how my best friends treat me."
"Bon, I got this." Claire said. Bonnie nodded to the brunette. Claire walked away and followed Caroline. "Care," she said
"What Claire" Caroline snapped "Care to finish me off with more cruel words like the ones your brother had to say earlier."
"Caroline, Damon's a jackass. Don't believe anything he says for a damn minute." Claire said passionately. Damon had a way of sensing the most broken and hurt parts of a person and using those things against them.
Caroline scoffed, "That's easy for you to say. You are the pretty and popular new girl. You are a freaking sensation in this town."
"Caroline Forbes, all of my life, I had my worth determined by others by my father, by the townspeople, and everyone else who thought they had something to say about who I was. Screw them. You are so much more than what they say you are." Claire said reaching over to give the blonde a sweet hug. "I wish you believed that too!" she added before walking away leaving Caroline in disbelief.
[Out a police officer in a car.]
"Help me." The girl screamed.
[On the bar]
Lexi and Claire walked about to the bar. "Two shots of tequila make that three. Claire, do you want a shot of whiskey?" Lexi ordered
"Yeah, I could use a stiff drink." Claire groaned knowing the troubles of the day would make a nice shot of whiskey feel really good about now.
The Barman motioned to the girls, "I need to see some ID."
Lexi looked deeply into the man's eyes and compelled him saying, "No you don't."
Barman looked at the both of them, "That'll be …"
"Free." Claire compelled.
"On the house." he said
Lexi flashed the barman a smile, "Thanks." She goes away with tequila and the pair run into Elena. "Oh! Claire is this the famous Elena?" she asked turning to her best friend.
"Elena, this is the fantastic, the badass and my best drinking buddy, Lexi." Claire said gesturing to her blonde friend. She wanted the pair to get along, especially for Stefan's sake.
Elena clipped, "Towel girl"
Lexi shrugged, "I've been called worse .Here." She said offering Elena a shot of tequila.
Elena smiled, "Yeah," she took tequila, "I didn't know that you guys could drink."
Lexi nodded, "Oh yeah it helps curb the cravings but makes for a lot of lushy vamps."
Elena laughed, "I've never seen Stefan drunk he always seem so..."
"Freakishly controlled" Claire teasingly offered. "Don't worry, I have some fun pictures to show you from our Bon Jovi concert. Ah, drunk Stefan…" Memories of that night still made Claire and Lexi burst into uncontrollable laughter. They had got Stefan completely wasted, he ended with a regrettable butterfly tattoo, and past out naked in a city fountain, after streaking through Central Park.
Lexi laughed, "He's a bit uptight?" she quipped. "She's right about those pictures though. I am convinced that Claire keeps them as a memento that Stefan is actually capable of cutting loose and having fun."
"That and for blackmail opportunities." Claire chimed back smiling openly and easily.
Elena smiled at the pairs antics. They truly seemed like they had an easy and fun relationship. "But now with you?"
Lexi smiled, "Well that the benefit for knowing someone for over a hundred years. You can just be yourself."
"Yeah, you know all the awkward moments about the other person and all of their juicy secrets." Claire quipped.
Elena scoffed, "Yeah, he can't be himself with me."
Lexi smiled, "Well not yet the first step is him telling you, the rest comes with time."
Elena asked the blonde hesitantly, "You seems so sure"
Lexi continued, "The love of my life was human he went through , what I imagine you're going through denial, anger et cetera ..But at the end of the day love really did conquer all. Are you going to drinking that?" She said nodded to Elena's shot of tequila.
Elena shook her head, "Go for it. I'm scared."
Lexi continued with a smile, "but you're here... cause you crazy about him I get it okay? I mean what's not to love. Listen. Take it from someone who's been around a long time. When it's real, you can't walk away."
"Lexi, my hopeless romantic." Claire teased.
"Claire, what's your take on this eternal love." Elena asked.
"I don't know if I quite buy into this love forever crap, but if anyone could has a chance at making it, I'd hope Stefan gets a shot at it." Claire replied. In her experience, love never quite seemed to work out for her. There was her ex-fiancée that bought into her father's abusive and repressive ideology, her ex-boyfriend that she couldn't quite remember but had been devastated at losing, and well then there was 'Lijah, one of her oldest friends, but he didn't seem to ever have interest in going there with her.
Elena smiled at Claire's semi-hopeful words and then she turned to Lexi, "Hey Lexi, it has been really nice meeting you."
Lexi then pulls Claire to rejoin Stefan who is still playing pool.
Lexi shot a smile at Stefan, dragging Claire alongside with her, "Yep I drank yours sorry, but I found the birthday girl to come celebrate with us."
Stefan nodded, "Thank you."
Lexi stuck out her tongue at Stefan, "You weren't supposed to be listening. I was feeling epic whatever."
"Well, I am looking forward to kicking Stefan's ass at pool. Loser buys the next round of shots." Claire declared before throwing back and downing her shot of whiskey.
[Outside.]
"Keep this contained." The sheriff order her officers before turning to the frightened victim. "Hey, hey did you see what did this? Tell me everything you saw." The sheriff said in a calm voice trying to reassure the clearly shaken girl.
Elena rejoin Stefan. "Hi!" She said hesitantly
Stefan smiled, "Hey you came."
Elena smiled brightIy at him, "I couldn't miss you and Claire's hundredth and... whatever birthday."
Caroline rejoined Matt.
Matt smiled, "Oh hey!"
Caroline slurred "I slim...I'm slipped.I slipped."
Matt chuckled, "Hammered huh?"
Caroline giggled drunkenly, "Well ... a very nice but not handsome, bartender was very kind to me tonight. Unlike the rest of the global human population. Are those curly fries?"
Matt gestured toward the bartender, "Coffee for the drunk girl, bad night huh?"
Caroline turned to Matt, "Baddest. Am I shallow?" she asked. She was still mulling over both Damon's and Claire's words to her.
Matt shrugged, "It's that a trick question?"
Caroline continued to cry, "I don't mean to he . I wanna be deep. I wanna be, like ...the abyss deep."
Matt shook his head, "No offense, Care, but deep's really not your scene."
Caroline cried, "That's true I'm shallow. I am worst than shallow. I'm a kiddie pool."
Matt disagreed, "You're not a kiddie pool . You're not a kiddie pool."
Caroline shrugged defeatedly, "Can I just go home okay?"
Matt smiled gently, "I'll take you come on, you're ok , she's still alright, Hold still,Hold still."
Outside Matt runs into Sheriff Forbes.
Sheriff Forbes concernedly looked at her daughter who had puffy eyes and a red face. "What happened ? Is she ok ?" She asked.
Caroline scowled at her mother's words, "Like you care." She retorted
Sheriff Forbes looked annoyed at her daughter's words, "She's drunk?" She asked
"As a skunk." Caroline said cheerily
Sheriff Forbes looked around behind her daughter, "Are they serving you in there?"
Matt shook his head, "I'll take her home .It's on my way. I haven't been drinking."
Sheriff Forbes said firmly, "I would appreciate that Matt thank you . You and I will discuss this later."
Caroline scoffed, "Can't wait."
Sheriff Forbes motioned for her officers to spread out, "Don't let anybody else leave."
[On the bar]
Lexi brought the shots over to the bar. She had left the twins to play pool with Elena. Claire had asked her earlier to annoy Damon. Claire had figured that Lexi could pick up on something that she was too close to the situation to see. Immediately, Lexi had got on board with the plan. "All right, the shots are bribe, I need you to give me an answer to a question. What are you really doing in Mystic Falls?"
"Have you tried the Brittle? It wins awards." Damon teased
Lexi was unamused by his actions. "Cut the crap.' She spat out. She wanted to know what evil scheme that Damon had cooking up his sleeve so that she could help protect the twins. She felt responsible for them. It was her actions long ago that reconciled them after Stefan's brutal actions and his subsequent descent as a ripper.
Damon smirked, "Ok I have a diabolical master plan."
"What is it? Making your siblings lives crazy?" Lexi asked sarcastically.
Damon shrugs, "If I told you it wouldn't be very diabolical, would it?"
Sheriff Forbes comes in with the girl. Sheriff Forbes said gently to the girl, "Look around let me know if you see him."
Damon walked over to the sheriff, "What are you doing?"
Sheriff Forbes brushed him off, "Thank you for the vervain; now if you'll excuse me."
"Oh my god!" Stefan yelled.
Elena panicked at Stefan's words, "What is it?" she asked.
Stefan said, "Excuse me sorry" He tried to move past the officer and get to the scene.
The Officer stands in his way, "Can't go out this way"
[Outside Damon Kills Lexi.]
Stefan screams, "Oh my god!" shock fills his body and then it is followed by rage. How dare Damon cross this line?
"No Lexi, No" Claire said, as she held Stefan back from intervening. "She's gone Stefan, There is nothing that we can do. She wouldn't want us to put ourselves in danger.
Lexi winced in pain as the life flows out of her, "Why?" she asks.
Damon smirks, "It's part of the plan, you okay?" he says turning to the Sheriff. He feels a bit like the cat that caught the canary. So much of his master plan is coming together and soon he will have everything that he has ever wanted.
"Thank you .Get her in the car quickly" she replies trying to wrangle order back to the crazy night.
"All right." Damon replied.
[Inside The Grill]
Barman gave his statement to the sheriff saying, "Lady I checked everyone's identity.'
Sheriff Forbes replied frustrated, "Yeah apparently you didn't." She sees Damon, and wanders over to him. "Pretty handy with that stake."
Damon tried to sound like a frail and inexperienced human, "It Just ...reflex .I guess the adrenaline kicked in."
Sheriff Forbes smiled gratefully at the eldest Salvatore, "This nightmare is finally over."
Damon nodded, "Yeah call a lucky break with that witness, and without her you wouldn't have been able to ID the vampire." His master plan to get in good with the town council was certainly working. He knew that handing them over would be a perfect reunion present for Katherine.
Sheriff Forbes flashed him a grateful look. "We were very lucky, well thank you again." Damon's actions had proved him worthy of her trust and a place on the council. She was happy that this monster was finally put down so that her town and her daughter would be safe.
Damon shot the sheriff a wicked grin, "You're welcome." He said. His plans tonight had gone better than he had expected. Lexi's death was sure to drive a wedge between the twins. Claire would never let him die and Stefan would be the first to drive a stake through his heart after today. He needed Claire's abilities and her connections with the Bennett's to open the tomb, and then finally he could have the love that he deserved.
[In Caroline's Bedroom.]
Matt tucked her in and laid down next to her, trying to offer her some comfort, "You gonna be ok?" Care might not have been his closest friend, but she was a good person deep down and he did care about her.
Caroline shook her head "No. Do you ever feel like there's not a person in the world that loves you?"
Matt looked into Caroline's eyes. Her words had resonated deeply with him. "Life can be a little rough."
She nodded, "I just wish..."
Matt asked, "What?" It was a rare experience that Care opened up this much, and let others see her deep hurts and thoughts.
"Wish that life was... different. " Caroline wanted so much more out of life than to be considered second best by most of the people she knew. She wanted to be loved and valued for who she was. She wanted adventure and passion, but most of all she wanted to have to stop trying so hard to be loved.
Matt nodded, "Yeah me too."
Caroline smiled, "Please ...don't leave me alone." She said softly. Matt made her feel like she mattered, like she was seen and heard. This was something that she sorely missed in the vast majority of her life with absentee parents and friends that seemed to rotate around the sun that was Elena Gilbert.
[Outside the grill.]
"Stefan! Stefan! Stefan Salvatore don't you dare walk away from me when I'm talking to you." Claire yelled furiously. She knew that his impulsivity rivaled Damon's and hers at times. She had to keep him from doing anything stupid and irreversible, besides she had the Lexi situation handled.
"He killed her, he killed Zach, he killed Tanner, he turned Vicki, I have to kill him." Stefan said emphatically.
Claire shook her head holding back her tears, "No you can't do that." As much as she could hate Damon, there was nothing she wouldn't do to keep him safe. Damon had killed a lot of people, unsurprising for Damon. She had agreed that him going after Lexi was a new low, but she had anticipated that particular antic. She had just hoped that Damon would surprise her and she would be wrong. What Damon didn't realize that he was playing the game with someone who could outwit and outlast him.
Her words enraged Stefan, "Why are you trying to save him? He's never going to change. Don't you see that? He's not going to change." He hated that Claire could still protect Damon after everything he had done. He had killed their best friend, and yet she still proclaimed that he was worth something. How dare she place their scum of a brother's life, over the life of the woman that had saved him again and again from himself, her supposed best friend?
"He's our brother. He's the last bit family either of us have, the last vestiges of our human lives. I still remember the times that he protected us, cared for us and raised us. I would go to the ends of the earth for him and for you. Some of us have a concept of family" She spat out. She was tired of giving the same argument over and over again. She may despise both of her brothers for their actions over the years, but they were still her family. Family was eternal, it was worth protecting, and it was one of the only things that mattered. It was mantra that she had lived and breathed as a human, a trait that only had been magnified exponentially after her transformation and her subsequent friendship with Elijah.
"He's no brother of mine." Stefan scoffed, annoyed that she chose now of all times to try to protect Damon.
Claire rolled her eyes, "Do you know how many times I refused to give up on you over the years? You are literally the reason that I am a vampire remember? I can still sometimes see your face draining the life from me when I try to go to sleep at night. You are the reason that I had to give up MY independent immortal life to make sure that you stay sober and don't slaughter hordes of innocent people while you chase the mirror of your toxic ex-girlfriend. So, yes I'm trying to save him, yes. I'm trying to save our family, but more importantly I'm trying to save you, you have no idea what this will do to you, please Stefan. Killing our brother will cost you, your humanity."
"I don't care." He ground back not caring enough to respond to the rest of Claire's words.
The finality in his voice pierced Claire, "But then what will Elena have to love? You think she will love the monster that you become without your humanity? She'll love the nightmare that still haunts communities, the bedtime story that parents tell to scare their children about the vicious ripper of Monterrey that slaughtered migrant towns? If that's truly all you care about then, you will have to go through me first to try." She said mocking her brother before flashing away. She knew exactly how to hurt Stefan, to get under his skin. She had to get out of here, away from the pain, the death, and the continual sense of loss. Besides she had work to do.
[Flashback]
"Lex, I have a bad feeling about tonight. Damon is itching for a way to take a shot at Stefan." Claire said pacing back and forth in her room as the pair got ready for the party at the Grill. Her instincts told her that something bad was going to go down tonight. She trusted her abilities to keep her human friends safe, but something told her that Lexi was going to be Damon's play. Lexi was one of the most beloved and stabilizing forces in Stefan's life. If Claire had wanted to make her brother hurt, that would have been a good place to start.
"It's cute that you're worrying about me, a vampire that's nearly twice as old as you." Lexi said trying to reassure her friend that she could in fact take care of herself.
Claire still was unconvinced. Damon would pull no punches in his relentless pursuit of Stefan's pain. "Let me do a protection spell. Just until you clear Mystic Falls, the ground here is cursed."
Lexi looked at the brunette, "You can do that? What exactly does it involve?"
"Say you get staked, the spell will temporarily make it look like you died, given the trigger happy, vampire hunting crowd of this town, and it would make me feel better." Claire said. It was a spell that she had crafted herself and it had come in handy more than once.
"If it will make you feel better, fine, but I totally think it isn't necessary." Lexi said before giving her friend a short hug. Claire was a badass, but she often carried the burdens of everyone else on her plate.
[Present]
Elena watched Claire flash away, noting the broken look on her face. She walked up to Stefan and placed her arm on his shoulder. "Are you okay?" she asked.
Stefan shook his head, "Everywhere I've gone, there has been pain and death following me, Damon follows me. No more.
"Stefan please. Please just talk to me; Let me be here for you. Talk to me." Elena pled. She could tell the loss of Lexi was straining the relationship between the twins, and effecting both of them deeply. She wanted to be able to offer as much comfort and support as she could.
Stefan shook his head and before flashing away, he said "No. You were right to stay away from me. Stay away from Claire too."
[Woods]
Claire followed the deputies out into the woods. They intended to dispose of Lexi's body like she was trash, an unwanted and forgettable blight upon their community. She knew the spell would kick in soon, and wanted to get Lexi to safety before anyone realized what had happened.
"Just a few more shovelfuls and we can put this vampire business to bed." One of the deputies said to the other.
"Hi fellas," Claire whistled after flashing up to them. She grabbed their hands and held them both in place. She bit the first one, and then the second. "Hmmm…. Vervain free. It's you lucky day dears. You get to walk away with most of your blood remaining in your body." She healed their wounds with a bit of her magic, and compelled them both to forget ever seeing her. The only thing that they would remember from the trip to the woods is successfully burying the vampire's body.
After sending the cops on their way, Claire went over to Lexi's body. She started to notice the color returning to her friend's corpse.
Lexi jolted forward sputtering as air begin to reach her body again, and as the blood continued to circulate. She looked over at Claire and said, "I suppose you're going to say I told you so."
Claire shook her head, "Nah, I'd rather just be glad my freakish hybrid instincts kept me from losing you permanently. Hopefully, I reacted genuinely enough that Damon won't pull anything more significant to enrage Stefan." She trusted her ability to fool Damon, but she questioned whether or not she should inform Stefan that Lex was still alive.
"Are you going to tell Stefan?" Lexi asked concerned.
"Yes, eventually. Right now, he's so wrapped up in protecting Elena that he isn't thinking rationally. More and more people keep getting caught in the crossfire, and with what's coming, I don't trust Stefan not to do something reckless." Claire responded.
"That's only going to get worse as you well know." Lexi replied.
Claire nodded, "I still haven't told him, you know. After 1,000 years of searching, he won't exactly be thrilled that I kept this a secret from him."
"You have your reasons, besides he's the most honorable and principled person I know. You are also one of his best friends. I'm sure that he trusts your judgement. Lexi replied. She knew that Claire's friendship with the suit wearing original often put her in morally complicated spots, but she liked how the pair brought out the best in one another. She secretly wanted to see the pair get together.
"Lex, before you leave, I want you to have this. " Claire pulled out an object from her pocket. It was a beautiful lapis lazuli daylight ring that she had spelled. "I meant it to be a surprise for you." She added
"Thanks Claire. I suppose that's my cue then. You'd better get back to your brothers before either of them does anything rash. Call me sweetie if things start to get too complicated. Either which way you dice it, your loyalties are going to get more complicated than ever. I'll always be there for you." Lexi said hugging Claire tightly. She then flashed away.
Claire struggled to keep her emotions in check. She had sent away one of her closest friends after nearly losing her due to Damon's rash and vindictive nature. She knew that she couldn't tell Stefan right now about Lexi. Stefan would selfishly insist Lexi come back and get her killed. She kept many secrets from her siblings for good reasons. She had promised Kat a 100 years ago that in exchange for Katherine leaving her brothers alone and in the dark about her survival, that she would never tell her brothers about Kat surviving the Fell's church all of those years ago and more importantly would never tell other interested parties. Emily had given her great leverage over her friend, and she had used it brilliantly. She truly believed that best thing for her brothers was to live a life far, far away from Kat. Kat was friend for sure, but one that you always wanted to have the upper hand on.
[In Salvatore's house.]
Damon scoffed, "Told you to take care of it. Come on I did this for you. To get them off our trail. I protected my baby sister and brother. What more could you ask of me?"
Claire nearly explored in rage, "What more could we have asked, how about don't kill our closest friends. Don't murder half the town out of spite and boredom." She hadn't been this out of control with her emotions in a long time. Rage, sorrow and magic filled the air around her. At least that was the façade she was trying to keep up. She had to make this look good to keep Lexi safe.
Stefan ignored her tirade, still angry at her for her actions earlier, "You never do anything for anyone but yourself." He grabbed one of Claire's throwing knives and tossed it at Damon's heart.
Damon ducked, "You missed." Stefan was no Claire. His tantrums and issues posed no danger to Damon's end game, but Claire, she was a force of nature and a wild card. He would rather go to war with her then against her. He hoped that she could be convinced that bringing Katherine out of the tomb was a good idea. The pair had been inseparable back in the day, and could be again if everything went according to his plan. Stefan would be left with no one and nothing.
"No you saved my life .I'm sparing yours, we're even. And now we're done. Claire, he steps out of line again, I'm taking him out even if I have to go through you to do it." Stefan said before stopping off to his room. He would absolutely go through his sister to take on Damon.
Claire looked over at Damon, "Don't do this to me, put me in the middle of your blood feuds. Do I really deserve an eternity of misery?" She gave him one last long glance before zooming out of the house. The occasion called for a stiff drink and a suitable distance from her brothers.
[Bonnie's Dream]
She's running in the woods. "It's coming." Emily said menacingly to her. With that, Bonnie wakes up in wood near to the old church.
[Mystic Falls Grill]
Later that night Claire sat at the bar, drinking her pain away. Her brothers drove her to near insanity. Damon practically raised her and now they often found themselves on such different sides. Stefan was her twin, but he resented her lack of blood issues, and she resented having to continually take care of him after his brutal actions that resulted in her immortal existence. Coming home was incredibly hard, she had avoided for so long busying herself with the acquisition of knowledge and the trips around the globe. She wanted her oldest friend Eli more than ever in that moment. He, outside of Lexi, was one of the only people she knew that could put the broken pieces of her back together. He knew the struggle of complicated family ties. She had met him in the thirties and they had quickly become inseparable. He had pulled her out of one of the darkest times of her life. They shared a love of literature, complicated families and a genuine love of wit. She couldn't contact him right now though, Eli would know immediately that she was hiding something, and all of her work would be for naught.
"Rough night?" A man asked her before stopping and sitting in the bar stool next to her. Then way he carried himself immediately fascinated Claire.
Claire turned, the man was rugged looking with blondish- brown hair and stunning eyes. He looked to be in his thirties. Claire shot a rough smile, "You have no idea" she replied taking another sip of her bourbon.
The man smiled, "I know how that is, I have had too many of those to count, Bartender get this lady another bourbon on me."
"Thank you." Claire said finally cracking a semi genuine smile, she offered her hand to the stranger, "Clarissa Salvatore."
He met her hand and shook firmly, "Alaric Saltzman."
Claire smiled, "That's quite a mouthful there, of German origin I believe?" she said confidently asking.`
Alaric smiled, "Bingo, but call me Ric, Clarissa" Alaric stared at the stunning girl next to him. She appeared to be in her twenties and radiated fiery intelligence.
"Please call me Claire." She said smiling brightly and genuinely. There was something about this man that immediately drew her in. Her instincts told her that he too shared a complicated and tragic past.
"Well Claire, do you want to get out of here?" He said forwardly. Claire intrigued him and lightened his sorrows even briefly.
Claire answered his question by fusing her lips to his briefly, "Let's" she replied before Ric pulled her into another kiss.
Hours later after a flurry of kisses, of the sweaty tangling of limbs, Claire passed out wrapped in unfamiliar sheets with tucked into Ric. They both smelled like bourbon and sex, and the morning would come far too quickly separating them from this moment of brief bliss.