Disclaimer: I don't own anything. All rights belong to L.J Smith, Julie Plec and the CW. No Copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed for chapter 10 and fav'd/followed. Huge thanks to my betas: TallDarkAndHandsome and TigerLily1995 – y'all are amazing. Here we go!

[-TPJ-]

Heart ache. It was something he always associated with lovers, but it was actually something he- someone currently loveless – felt physically. There was a constant, dull, pain constantly pulsating in between his ribcage. If he could figure out how to remove his heart from his chest cavity without actually killing himself he just might be tempted and drunk enough to try it. For days he had been a good vampire. He resisted the urge to dive head first into his sorrow and sublimate his feelings. Unfortunately, a good brooding didn't offer the delicious distraction only a killing could provide.

Avery Thayer wasn't in the tomb.

The news brought joy to Stefan. Small and fleeting – but joy nonetheless. This revelation was the only thing that kept the vampire going. He had to find her. He had to see her face to face and ask her how she managed to escape that fateful night.

Avery Thayer was alive.

If she was free all this time, why had she abandoned him? Had she just used him like all the others? Stefan knew that Avery had a way with men. She wasn't afraid to use her charms to get what she wanted. She was selfish and spoiled, but what they had was supposed to be special. He was supposed to be the one that she truly loved. That was what the blonde had promised him: love and eternity. If that wasn't what Avery wanted, then why had she turned him? What was the point of the past one hundred and sixty odd years?

His anger quickly heightened to fury. It made Stefan's teeth set on edge. The longer he stewed and brooded, the worse it got. He needed to inflict the pain he felt onto others. He needed to bite. He needed to kill. To rip.

It had been almost two decades since Stefan had given in to the urge. When he and Damon cooked up the scheme to get into the tomb, one of his brother's conditions was that Stefan get himself under control. Going cold turkey was a hard route and it made Stefan a whole new kind of miserable. Lexie was the one who taught him to incorporate blood bags into his diet. They lessened his desire to kill greatly, but that impulse to destroy was always just under the surface. Although the thought of slipping back into Ripper Mode scared him, the hunger inside of him was much more powerful.

Stefan looked around The Grill, searching for a viable victim. There was a cute little waitress who'd been eye-fucking him all night that could easily fit the bill. He liked her height and her perky little body, but it was the barrette in her wavy bob that reeled him in. It screamed of innocence. An innocence begging to be violated.

[-0-]

A loud blare of music roused Caroline awake. She yawned as she reached for her phone that rested on her nightstand and shut off her alarm. Her sleepy blue eyes blinked several times, taking in the soft light peeking through her curtains.

"Is there a reason we're up so early?"

Caroline shivered as Damon's lips brushed against her shoulder, kissing her good morning. He rested on his side using his forearm for balance. Meredith was working a double shift at the hospital so Damon slept over – the third time this week.

She smiled apologetically for the noise and clutched her sheets tighter to her chest. She couldn't help but feel a little nervous, even though this wasn't the first time they'd woken up together. Damon made it clear that he didn't mind the bed head look and morning breath (at least hers wasn't a problem). Still, Caroline felt a bit self-conscious. Damon had a way of looking camera-ready no matter what and she envied that.

The sight of his bare chest brought a scarlet blush to her cheeks. He wasn't a scruffy guy; there were just light patches of hair in all the right places that did something Caroline and her ovaries. A soft shadow had grown under Damon's face, accentuating his sculpted jaw and that damn top lip she loved to tease while they kissed. His happy trail was her kryptonite, the light column of hair that started just under Damon's navel that led to the promise land underneath her café au lait sheets.

"Like what you see?" He asked.

Her heart raced as he teased her with an innocent tone that didn't match his mischievous smirk. Caroline smiled, trying to cover the excitement coursing through her and ran her fingers through his raven colored locks.

She shrugged, still playing it cool. "Cocky much?"

Damon had her on her back before she realized. She stared at him half dazed from sleep and half exhilarated from his vampire speed. He hovered over her, supple lips just inches from her own.

"Very much," he whispered and she felt a feather light brush of his mouth teasing her.

Damon kissed her deep while his hands explored her body over the top of her nightie.

"Have I told you how much I like your pajamas," he praised.

She wore a powder blue babydoll with orange straps and matching hipster underwear. The girl had more bra and panty sets than any seventeen year old probably should. Caroline knew this, but with the sexy turn she and Damon had taken – all of the lingerie she'd invested in had served her well.

"The better to entice you with, my dear," Caroline pointed out.

She wrapped her legs around his waist, bucking her hips involuntarily at the hardened length between his legs.

He rolled his icy blue eyes and squeezed her soft skin.

"The big bad wolf," he said, chuckling. "Cute."

Damon rocked his lower half teasingly against hers as he nipped at her neck.

"I'd pictured you as more of the Barbie type," he confessed.

He rubbed and caressed her skin, making Caroline gasp. She widened her legs, bringing him closer.

"I do love accessories," she said, breathless. "Does that make you my Ken?"

His teeth lightly scraped against her skin at the same time his fingers traced between her thighs. She knew he could feel how excited he was making her, she was putty in his hands.

"I'm much better looking than that tool."

Her hands ran up and down his toned body exploring. She tilted her head to the side, giving Damon more access to her skin when her deep blue eyes landed on her alarm clock.

It was eight – fifteen. She was running late. Caroline Forbes hated being late.

"I've got to go to school," she frowned, pushing him away. "There's a meeting for the dance committee. I'm the chair."

Damon snorted and pulled her body close to his when she tried to move.

"Since when?"

"Since last year."

Heat rose to her cheeks and her heart fluttered as Damon placed more open mouthed kisses, meant for sex, on her skin.

"Stop," she giggled as he stated at her incredulous.

"I have to brush my teeth and get ready," she added.

The brunette rolled his eyes and huffed dramatically, but he released her. She didn't know why she felt guilty for spurning his advances. Caroline started at him wide eyed and sympathetic before she placed a gentle kiss on Damon's lips.

"I'm sorry," she said.

She got up quickly and went to her closet to grab some clothes.

"I'll be quick in the shower, I promise."

Damon watched her lazily from his spot in her bed, he rolled his eyes and groaned.

"Tease," he said. It was light hearted, she could tell he wasn't mad. At least she hoped he wasn't.

When Caroline emerged, fresh and clean, she was happy to see that Damon was still there. He had dressed and laid comfortable on top of her covers with a book in his hands.

"What's so special about this Bella girl?" He asked. "Edward's so whipped."

Caroline smiled. He had a lot of nerve to scoff at a vampire book when he was in a similar boat. Though Caroline liked to think she had a lot more going for herself than Bella Swan.

"You've gotta read the first book first," she explained patiently as she went to her closet to get a pair of shoes. "It won't make sense if you don't."

"There's more of these?" he scoffed. "I watched The Notebook for you, that's where I draw the line."

She slipped on her sensible black flats.

"In my defense, I didn't ask you to read anything," she told him. "And what's wrong with The Notebook, it's classic."

Damon frowned, not impressed. "We're going to have to work on your cinematic tastes."

"I thought you liked my taste?" She wondered with her head cocked to the side.

Damon flashed across the room, so that he was standing right in front of her.

"Trust me, Angel Face, you taste just fine," he said as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

Caroline rolled her eyes, not intending for her comment to take a detour. She smiled up at him and rested her hands on Damon's shoulders.

"How's Stefan?"

The tomb fiasco had gone down a little over a week ago and the younger Salvatore had made himself scarce at school.

Damon grimaced, not liking the subject change.

"I think I saw a few more lines added on his overcrowded forehead."

Caroline's delicate brows arched.

"He's devastated," she said flatly.

Damon pursed his lips as he pretended to think it over. "Sounds about right."

Caroline batted her lashes. "How are you feeling?"

He was silent for a moment.

"Aren't you late?"

Every time Caroline had tried to get Damon to talk about Avery, he deflected. It was frustrating, but Caroline was determined.

"You came back to Mystic Falls for Stefan," she said gently. "But on some level you came back for her too, right? I've always gotten the vibe that the two of you needed a little closure."

"Alright, Dr. Phil," he mocked.

There was a flash of warning in his eyes. She knew he was about to clam up.

Caroline squeezed his broad shoulder. "I just want to help you."

"You do," he told her softly.

They stared at one another. Caroline's heart fluttered at the sincere admission. She liked this – she felt wanted. Needed.

"I think you should release Lexie," she said after the moment passed.

He chuckled and let her go.

"Of course you do."

Caroline rolled her eyes, and tried another tactic.

"I'm just saying that you spend all your time with me," she reasoned. "Stefan could use a friend. Lexie is his friend. Maybe it will help him. Don't you want to help him?"

He watched her critically, and Caroline stood her ground under that steely gaze.

"He's your brother."

"Alright bossy-pants, I'll consider it," he sighed.

Caroline smirked and skipped over to give him a gently kiss.

"I'm not bossy," she insisted. "I just happen to know what other people should be doing."

[-0-]

"Hey Bonnie! Wait up."

Bonnie smiled at the sound of Tyler Lockwood's voice. She turned her head and saw him jogging up to her. They stood quietly while Tyler caught his breath.

"What are you doing here, Tyler?" She asked. "It's Saturday."

Tyler grimaced as they walked toward the main building of Mystic Falls High.

"Detention," he said. "I was hoping to run into Elena. I know you guys have a meeting for the dance committee. She's dodging me."

Bonnie sighed heavily while nodding. Elena had a habit of avoiding rather than facing things head on. They walked quietly up the front steps, the young witch could feel Tyler's eyes on her as he waited for a response.

"She's having a tough time."

It was diplomatic and vague, but true.

Tyler leaned forward waiting for her to elaborate. "Is she okay?"

Bonnie's green eyes searched the halls, there weren't that many people around so she spoke freely.

"She was brought back to life by a mystical charm bracelet after you killed her, Ty," she snipped. "No she's not okay."

The charm bracelet used to belong to Elena's mother, Miranda, but the black stone with the white bird etching was imbued with Bennett magic. All in all Elena was lucky to be alive.

"She won't take my calls," Tyler groaned. "When I come over to her house she's got her family using every excuse to avoid me. I'm tryin' here. Help me out, Bonnie. I just want to talk to her."

Bonnie bit her lip nervously. "I'll let her know. Just be patient."

Tyler scratched the back of his neck. He looked like he wanted to lash out, but he held his tongue. Bonnie felt bad for him, she really did. It wasn't his fault that Anna had compelled him.

"Have you had any luck figuring out what happened to me?" He asked.

She pulled a sympathetic face. Tyler was waiting on pins and needles for answers. "My Grams is back teaching at Whitmore, so I haven't been able to pick her brain as much as I'd like to. I do have a copy of her house key though. There aren't a lot of books there, but there are some. I've been going through them, but I'm not sure what I'm looking for."

Since the tomb, Grams had gone from supporting Bonnie's magical education to completely abdicating it. Bennetts being pulled into vampire business was what started all of their troubles, was what Grams said. If Bonnie didn't practice magic, then she would be safe. The wariness of her grandmother's tone implied that it was more than helping the Salvatores that she was upset about, but before Bonnie could press the issue Grams was headed to her apartment near Whitmore College.

Bonnie could understand Grams' hesitation, but it wasn't in Bonnie's nature to just sit back and let her friends suffer. When Tyler had snapped Elena's neck, his eyes had turned yellow and he had a weird seizure. Everyone in their group agreed that it wasn't a natural reaction, it had to be something supernatural. Bonnie was new at this. Without Gram's guidance it would take her some time to figure it out.

"Don't worry," she told him. "Everything is going to work out. It has to."

Tyler smiled softly, not convinced.

"I've gotta go, Tanner's a dick. He might give me another detention if I'm late."

She waved. "See you around."

Bonnie watched Tyler go, before heading to the classroom was the basecamp for the dance committee feeling more determined than ever to start unraveling the supernatural mysteries that kept piling up. She loved puzzles.

The meeting was already in full swing when Bonnie slipped inside. Caroline stood in front of her minions, like the Queen Bee she was, giving her a tight lipped smile. The blonde was not keen on tardiness, best friend or not.

"As I was saying girls," Caroline said with authority. "I know I've been pretty out of it lately, but I'm back and fully committed to being your chair."

With all the recent chaos, Caroline dove head first into her old life and reestablished her dominance over the junior class. Caroline explained that with all the abnormal – a dash of normal was exactly what they all needed. Bonnie hesitantly agreed even though she knew from past experience that Caroline's version was normal was something few humans could aspire to. There were over-achievers and then there was Caroline. Caroline had stepped into the role of cheer captain while Elena was out dealing with her trauma. The student council was back prepping for fundraisers for Prom now that Caroline was back cracking the whip and Dana, who was the interim head of the Mystic Falls Dance committee, was sulking to Bonnie's right.

Caroline continued on. "The Decade Dance is in a few weeks. I want to see everyone's costume the week before. As members of the committee, I feel like we all need to look the most put together and era appropriate, don't you? Dana if you could make a note to make sure all the eco-lights get installed in the gym? I got a lot of equipment donated from the Go Green Campaign. It would be a waste to not use it."

Bonnie smiled absently as her friend spouted more commands. Caroline Forbes was back, dating a vampire hadn't changed her. That gave the witch one less thing to worry about.

[-0-]

Five days, seventeen hours and thirty-six seconds.

That's how long it had been since Alexia Branson had fed.

Forty four seconds.

"I've gotta say, Lex, you've looked better."

If she had the energy, she'd throw her shoe at Damon.

Fifty six seconds.

The vampire growled as she guzzled the blood her host gave her.

"I never liked you," she grumbled. "Remind me to slap you when I get out of here. Where the hell have you been?"

Damon smirked as he stared down at her.

"Let's just say Operation Avery was a bit of a bust. Making sure you didn't rot in here dipped on my list of priorities."

Lexie's brown eyes widened.

"A bust?" She echoed, feigning ignorance.

The blonde had known all along that her sire, Avery Thayer, was never trapped under Fell's Church. After Avery successfully faked her death she had charged Lexie with trailing the Salvatores. It was her job to establish a relationship with them. To teach them how to be vampires and ensure their survival. From time to time, Lexie was meant to report how each brother was doing. Neither brother knew of Lexie's affiliation with Avery. It was vital that that secret be kept.

"Turns out her lying ass didn't need to be rescued," he said. "Avery wasn't in there."

She frowned, hoping to show sympathy, while inwardly she felt nothing but irritation at her failure. The last thing Avery had commanded was that the tomb was not to be opened. Avery hated bad news.

"What about the rest?" Lexie asked. "Stefan said that all of the town vampires got locked up and burned."

Damon shook his head.

"They're still safely locked away, desiccating. Grandma Bennett closed the door and that's all she wrote."

Good. Lexie thought. At least she'd have something positive to report.

The blood circulated through her system, helping her begin to formulate contingency plans for the near future.

"Stefan is spiraling," Damon said heavily. "He needs you."

Lexie licked the wet blood in her cracks of her chapped lips.

"Me?" Her interest was piqued. Damon loathed the influence she had over Stefan. Surely this would be the time for the famed Salvatore brothers to finally reconcile. "What about you?"

Damon grumbled under his breath as walked closer to Lexie and freed her from dead bolt chain latched on her ankle.

"Me talking to him about her will just make everything worse. Especially if you add in Caroline."

Right, the doppelgänger.

Gingerly she twisted and flexed her stiff limbs before she turned a smug gaze on Damon.

"Sweetness still doesn't know that she's Avery's twin?"

The look on Damon's face told her everything she needed.

Lexie sighed, picking at the dirt and grime that had collected on her clothes. No dry cleaning could fix her outfit. Bummer. "I suppose that would be an awkward conversation. I'm curious, do you think about Avery when you kiss Caroline?"

"You're still weak," Damon hissed. "I could lock you back up, you know."

She loved to rile him up. Sometimes he made it too easy.

"You love your brother too much to leave him to his own devices, even if you're too chicken shit to deal with him yourself. You said it yourself, Stefan needs me," she reminded him.

He glared, giving her statement validation. "Go take a shower, you're all Shawshank and gross."

Lexie glided past Damon and swished her hips as much as her weakened state would allow. First step, bathe. Second, find a secure place and talk to Avery. Third, wrangle Stefan.

[-0-]

After the two and a half dozen vampires were revived, some immediately fled. Those who remained looked to Pearl Zhu for guidance, she was the oldest and strongest of them.

When Anna's companion Noah took her to her little girl's body, Pearl didn't feel like she had an ounce of strength. She wished more than anything that she had burned in the church all those years ago. Nothing was worse than learning they had been moments away from being reunited only to have it all ripped away.

It was tradition in her human life not to pay respect to children or the unmarried after their death. Her Annabelle was both of these things, but Pearl's heart would not allow her daughter's demise to go by unobserved. Annabelle deserved to be sent into the next world with honor and reverence.

Pearl had Noah and Frederick secure a home for their small party the very first night. Mrs. Gibbons proved to be an agreeable hostess while Pearl readied their new house for Anna's death ritual in the days that followed. As instructed, old lady covered all statues of deities with red paper and every mirror was removed. Harper and Billy were both skilled carpenters in their day; together they constructed an authentic three-humped casket. Pearl allowed Bethanne to help her prepare the body. With care, Anna was washed and dusted with talcum powder. Noah brought her daughter's best clothes – thankfully they were appropriate colors.

Anna's wake was simple yet elegant. Pearl stood in front of the altar, lit incense smoke wafted through her nostrils as she prayed to her old gods. The others came in and out paying their respects, but Pearl knew they were growing restless, they were ready for action. At least Frederick was, he thought he complained quietly, but there was little Pearl didn't hear. They would have their revenge, but it would have to wait.

"Miss Pearl?"

She stood like a statue as she continued to pray for her daughter's peace on the other-side, but a slight twitch of her shoulder told Noah to continue.

He cleared his throat before starting again. "Miss Pearl, I have something for you."

Pearl tiled her head slightly finding Noah's hand outstretched. He slipped a folded piece of paper into her hands. Impatiently she revealed the note only to have her heart clench as she looked down at the Chinese script. It was Annabelle's precise hand that had transcribed the series of numbers. She remember all those centuries ago when she sat diligently with Anna teaching her daughter how to hold a quill and write her letters.

"What is this?" She asked with a strangled voice as she ran a finger over the ink.

"It's a phone number," he said. "Anna said that if you ran into trouble to call that person."

Pearl turned to him confused.

"Call them?" She pressed.

Noah smiled, embarrassed. "There's still a lot we've got to cover in twenty-first century 101."

He handed her a small rectangular device.

"This is a cell phone. You dial the numbers and it will connect you with anyone no matter where they are in the world. Well… as long as you've got reception, but don't worry about that."

Pearl looked at the cell phone and back at Noah. She wished her daughter was here to teach her about the world.

"Fascinating," she murmured.

Noah hovered over her shoulder, showing her how to unlock the phone, which didn't make any sense seeing as how it had no locking chamber not to mention a key. When he felt she had the hang of it he left her to make her very first phone call.

Pearl jumped when she heard the fuzzy ring in her ears. How peculiar.

"How did you get this number?"

Pearl smiled for the first time in centuries at the sound of his voice.

"Alaric," she whispered.

There was a pause.

"Zhēnzhū?"

Her grin widened. Even after all this time his Chinese accent needed work.

"It's good to hear your voice too brother," she said. "We have much to discuss, you and I."

[-TPJ-]

A/N: Alaric! He's a bit OOC, but there will be a lot of the canon Ric that we all love. I can't wait do dive into this Pearl and Alaric subplot. Who do you think sired them? Finally some Daroline for you all, hope you enjoyed it. Just so we're clear: Caroline is not aware that she is Avery's doppelgänger. Hopefully some of Lexie' background is cleared up. Avery's debut is getting closer.

I'd love to know what you think! Please review – it keeps me motivated and I update quicker.

TVD: I'm sad Kai is such a weirdo, he's cute. Spoiler? Bummer about Luke, but personally I never liked him or his Caroline 3.0/twin sister Liv. If Bonnie doesn't make it back on Thursday…I'm so tired of Bon-Bon's depressing story arc. Julie Plec has lost her marbles. Spoiler? That weird vision Liz had? Was that Caroline with her humanity switch off? That was creepy. Forshadowing maybe for when Liz leaves us? Caroline just needs to pack her bags, go to Klaus and leave this Stefan nonsense behind her.

TO: Dear Finn Mikaelson, Sorry your sister 'died' when you were young and the rest of your siblings are more interesting than you. Calm Down. Please? Sincerely, The Universe. LOL… Seriously though… why are you so crazy? How did Sage ever fall in love with you – that is a flashback episode I'd LOVE to see. I love Monday nights though. Much better than the farce that is TVD right now.