The Salvatore house was quiet. And empty. Both brothers stood at the entryway with arms folded and heads cocked slightly to the left. They wore identical expressions – a mixture of bewilderment and confusion.

"What do you suppose they're doing?" Damon asked.

"I think it's…some kind of meditation exercise?" Stefan's tone betrayed just how flawed he was by the spectacle taking place out the front of their property.

"Huh," Damon nodded. Still not quite understanding.

"A shame they're not wearing cute little outfits," Willow spoke up from behind them. She laughed at the looks on their faces and playfully punched Damon in the arm –

"Eavesdropping I see. Your shame knows no bounds."

"It was Stefan's idea," Damon retorted.

Alaric sidled over to the three of them. Stefan offered a brief introduction before turning his attention back to the Slayer and her newest charge – on their front lawn –

"What's happening over there?" Alaric asked.

"Tai chi," Damon and Stefan answered in unison.

Buffy brought her arms up slowly above her head and shifted her weight to the left in a sweeping but seamless movement. Elena mirrored the movement, matching her breathing to the Slayers.

"So is this some kind of Slayer exercise?"

"Not all Slayers practice tai-chi. It isn't specific to their training. I happen to enjoy it – it restores strength and poise."

"I do feel more relaxed."

"I'm glad. It was a Vampire who taught me, actually."

"A vampire?"

"Stranger things have happened, wouldn't you say?"

Elena halted so that she could turn to face Buffy.

"Your muscles will seize up if you just stop like that," Buffy said.

"It…wasn't Klaus who taught you, was it?"

Buffy had to repress a snort of laughter, fearing it would frighten the girl.

"No, it was most definitely not. He would see me doing it and laugh…I was always trying to get him to practice it – to calm him. He could be so…unreachable and then other times it was like…he belonged to me. All of him."

Elena exhaled deeply, she hadn't realised that she was holding her breath.

"Yes, I can imagine this would be difficult for you to take in. I never saw this "Klaus" that you know so well until the very end. Or perhaps I just never wanted to."

"Do I have to come back to Rome with you?"

The question didn't surprise Buffy, she had been wondering about what she was going to do with Elena. She couldn't very well remove the only Slayer from the town. Not when so many supernatural creatures were looking to call it 'home.' She would be leaving the townspeople defenceless. It wasn't up to the Vampires to look out for the people, nor the ridiculous founder's council that she had told Buffy about. Their experience and knowledge only extended so far. Whereas the Slayer had existed for as long as there had been demons to fight. In other words, pretty much always. Buffy opened her mouth to answer when a new female voice spoke up.

"Can I join you guys?"

Buffy looked up to meet Caroline's eyes. She recognised the blonde vampire from the alleyway, the one that Nick had warned off of her.

"Sure Caroline, This is-"

"Buffy. Yeah, it's nice to meet you," Caroline said extending a hand and offering a soft smile. "I've heard a lot about you."

The two seemed to take measure of one another for a few seconds as something passed silently between them.

"So, how do I do this?" Caroline asked.

"They're multiplying," Stefan said at the sight of Caroline slipping easily into the rhythm.

"Like bunnies," Damon responded dryly.

Ric quirked an eyebrow at the two of them.

"I don't see why you're getting so worked up over this."

"You don't have vampire hearing," Stefan said regrettably.

"Where did the witch go?" Damon asked, looking around suspiciously.

Willow spelled the room and sat down to make a phone-call. There were far too many vampires in the vicinity not to take such precautions - and she didn't want anyone taking the initiative of running to tell Buffy just what she had brewing. The phone line on the other end rang a few times before a woman answered.

"Hey Willow, How's B? You get there in time to save the day?"

"Naturally," Willow retorted with a toss of her hair.

"So what's up?"

"I wanted to know if you were busy?"

"Right now?"

"For the next few months…maybe a year."

"If you're expecting me to fly out there - you had better be springing my airfare."

"Deal, now get over here- please."

"I'm guessing B doesn't know about this little arrangement?"

When Willow didn't respond Faith laughed long and loud.

"I'll see you soon."

Each of the women took a deep breath, extending their bodies to the ground and back up again.

'Have you been hunting him this entire time?" Caroline asked.

"Yes. Or I thought I was. It's different when you suddenly find yourself face to face with the person who has been the driving force behind your actions for the past two years."

"I can't believe Klaus came clean to you about…all of it," Elena said looking from Buffy to Caroline. "Have you told Tyler?...Wait, Tyler! Was he there last night as well?"

"No he wasn't. He was with me all night. Klaus didn't take him."

"Why not?"

"Because I asked him not to."

Buffy pretended not to notice the conflict in the blonde vampire's tone. She couldn't direct her. She had her own conflicts raging.

"He came to your rescue. Does that count for anything?" Caroline asked.

"It's not really that simple."

"He's a monster," Elena said. "He can't get a free ride because he has now deigned to let us all live."

"I know that," Caroline said. "Men are so stupid."

Buffy chuckled. "An actual man might be a nice change of pace for all of us."

Caroline and Elena laughed as well, and for a few moments the tension of the conversation was relieved. But it didn't last.

"Willow said he's leaving," Elena spoke up. She noticed the frown creep onto Caroline's face, and the way Buffy was studying her Vampire friend was equally distressing. Was she jealous that Klaus appeared to have found somebody else? She just couldn't be sure of anything. There was something going on between Buffy and Damon that was also making her nervous. Buffy was right. It was time for new boyfriends all around. Human boyfriends.

Caroline slumped to the grass and crossed her legs.

'And what about you, Elena? Are you going to go to Rome?"

Elena looked to Buffy.

"I don't know," She whispered.

Stefan took a step back into the mansion and disappeared. Ric raised an eyebrow at Damon.

"Bad news?"

"That's what happens when you eavesdrop."

"And what about you? What exactly are you waiting to hear?"

Damon eyed the history teacher for a moment. He wasn't the most amiable Vampire and he knew it, but Ric was counted amongst a very small list of people that he wouldn't like to see dead…though he had killed him a couple of times himself.

"I already got what I wanted."

"Oh really? Then why are you still listening?"

Dusk fell too quickly over Mystic Falls. Buffy's final day in the town was drawing to a close – with her flight being the following afternoon - and very little had been resolved. Damon took the steps two at a time into the cellar for a much needed blood bag, though he would have preferred something warmer. Something alive. Buffy's dream had been very forthcoming, she wasn't looking to win the Original's heart back. So her bloodlust may have also come to a crashing halt…that was slightly more worrying. What if she warms up to the douche all over again? He sighed, slamming the fridge closed to find Elena there. He hadn't heard her come in.

She smiled at the surprise on his face.

"You made that too easy, It almost wasn't funny. Almost," She smiled sweetly and he could do nothing but return the warmth.

"It's nice to see you smile, you don't do it nearly often enough."

"Helps having you around, keeps things…light…kind of."

He frowned now as he slurped from the bag.

"Am I going somewhere?"

Elena shrugged. "I don't know. You tell me?"

"I thought you were the only one leaving town."

"That hasn't been decided yet."

"Have you talked to Stefan about it?"

"No." Elena settled herself against the wall. "I think he's mad and I wanted to give him some time alone."

"So you came to me instead?" Damon smiled. "What if I needed some time to brood over the idea of losing you as well? What about my feelings?"

Elena rolled her eyes to the ceiling.

"As if you think I haven't noticed that something is going on between you and Buffy."

"Are you jealous?"

"No, Damon. I am concerned though – it just seems sort of fast and…like you haven't put much thought into it."

"If you're jealous, Elena, then just come out and say it. I won't make fun," He grinned at her frustration.

"She doesn't know what she wants Damon. She is still hung up on Klaus, crazy murderer or not. I can see it. Do you really want to get involved with her while she is trying to figure her feelings out?"

"What's the alternative, Elena? Waiting around for you to make up your mind?" He hadn't meant for the words to come out with such harshness but there they were. Out on the table, once again.

"So that's it, is it? Are you punishing me? You're going to follow her to Rome all to get back at me because I love you both."

"No, Elena. You don't love us both. It can't be both of us."

"Look, I care about you Damon. And I trust you, I trust you with my life." She crossed to him to place a hand on his cheek. "I just don't want to see you chasing after a woman who is only going to leave you broken hearted again."

Damon shoved her hand away. "I believe the love-sick puppy title belongs to my brother and it's not about you anymore, Elena. Don't you get it?"

"Are you in love with her?" Elena's expression contorted from surprise and shock to hurt. "Cause you don't even know her."

"Well I want to."

"And what are you going to do? Compel her some more or manipulate her dreams? Even if it's only a one night stand you're looking–

There was a loud thud from upstairs that cut off Elena before she could finish. They abandoned the heated discussion and made their way up to meet the commotion.

Faith pressed a hand to Stefan Salvatore's chest and shoved him aside.

"Move it, Vampire. Willow sent me." She dropped her bag over the threshold of the enormous Salvatore Mansion and strode right in.

Stefan took a moment to take the Slayer in. She wasn't overly tall or powerful looking but then again neither was Buffy. Something they did however share was their ability to take control of any given situation. That and the fact that they exuded power. In their walk, the gleam in their eyes and the unwavering timbre of their voices.

"You could at least have waited to be asked in," Elena spoke up as she stepped in beside Stefan. Her eyes travelled down Faith – from her dark, tousled locks, her trademark bare midriff and right onto the combat boots.

"That's one of the things I love about being human – not having to wait for an invitation."

Willow stepped into the room followed closely by Buffy. When the Slayer recognised who had just arrived she turned immediately on her best friend.

"I suppose you're to blame for…that?"

"Faith's here to help."

"Oh, so that's what we're calling it now? Don't you remember what happened to the last girl you asked her to mentor one on one?"

"She's had practice since then…That was just a freak accident anyway. People can't be held responsible for freak accidents," Willow replied meekly.

"B! Don't I get a hug?" The dark haired Slayer crossed the room and punched Buffy's arm in greeting.

"You look fine to me, and here I thought you were in some kind of danger," she grinned cheekily as Buffy ran her hands over her face.

"I must be having another nightmare."

"Want me to hit you again, just in case?"

"Everyone, this is Faith. Approach her at your own risk."

Faith raised a hand in a half-hearted wave of greeting, she noticed Damon for the first time eyeing the newest addition to the household.

"Well, he's easy on the eyes," Faith whispered a little loudly to Buffy.

"I'm Faith." She extended a hand to him which he took.

"Damon."

"Well, now that everyone is all introduced, why don't we-"

"Always gotta be in-charge, don't you, B? No one come after your title yet?" Faith interrupted her.

"Oh, I'm sure you'll get working on that."

Faith raised her hands as if to concede. "I'm The Slayer too, so I think I have the right to be heard."

"That's fine with me, you can stand there all night if you like – I'll be upstairs, in bed, but I'll be listening. I promise." Buffy laid a firm hand on her friend's shoulder and turned to make her way back to Damon's bedroom. She couldn't deal with Faith right at the moment but Willow was in for a world of trouble in the morning.

"Night then, B – catch you in the morning."

"Try not to kill anyone in the meantime," Buffy tossed over her shoulder.

Faith stood outside the mansion. The moon was full and high, casting a brilliant light over the place. More vampires and love triangles. It was easy enough to spot. And a potential Slayer caught in the middle of it all. Yes, the usual kind of drama. She could handle that but it was all becoming kind of dull. And if all the hottie vamps were taken, who was left for her?

She was blowing out a bored breath when Elena stepped out into the night.

"I hope I'm not bothering you," She said.

"It's cool," Faith retorted easily. When she made no effort to continue Elena took the liberty.

"I'm really grateful to you for coming all this way, for taking me on. I can't wait to start training and learning everything that you-

"Yeah yeah," Faith said, but she was smiling. "I've had worse jobs, so you don't need to get all thanksy. We all fight the good fight."

"Can I ask you, did you really let some other girl die?"

"Nah, that's just B. I didn't let her die – I couldn't really stop it, It was kind of funny actually, if you wanna hear the story."

"I'm pretty tired, actually…been a crazy couple of days," Elena said. "I just wanted to make sure you found a room and were comfortable for the night."

Faith's smile was all teeth. How she loved to tease the Potentials. So young and naïve…and terrified of her.

"Got a room. I'm five by five. Just used to keeping a look out I guess, especially with B not feeling the best."

"You're a good friend. Good night."

Faith nodded, but turned suddenly.

"What is it?" Elena asked.

"Thought I heard something."

She wandered all around the mansion, but the moon illuminated every possible hiding place – nothing and nobody would have been able to conceal themself from her. She started back to the front of the house with a shrug.

Buffy sunk comfortably into Damon's bed. Today had been one of those days where everything seemed to be tied up neatly and yet in truth, nothing had been resolved. There were still questions to be answered. But there would always be questions. Explanations were also wanting but then again when did an explanation actually solve anything?

What was important was Elena.

She had come to unlock a hidden power within her and felt safe in her decision to let her remain in Mystic Falls, to train and protect the town. The young woman was remarkable. She was strong, not just physically, but both in will and spirit. She was considerate but she was nobody's fool. She had also gotten herself mixed up in an intricate vampire love triangle. Another thing they had in common. Buffy had no intention of sleeping, instead her mind became consumed with the events of that week. She brushed her fingertips over her neck thoughtfully, so she would have a new scar to add to the collection. And about a hundred more emotional ones. It came with the job.

Yes, well. This is good. Elena will make a formidable Slayer and I can go back to Rome. That's the end of it. Nick is probably already gone. Like Willow said.

Klaus.

They all call him that. It sounded odd to her. She had meant to kill him but even if the stake had penetrated his heart he would still be alive. Something deep inside of her whispered words she didn't want to hear right at that moment. That perhaps she had known all along that it wouldn't have worked. She had been given the power, no, the knowledge to kill every vampire that lived on the earth since coming to Mystic Falls. To end their demonic race once and for all. But when she thought of Angel and Spike…and Damon and Stefan. What was she supposed to do with such information? People were similarly inclined to good and evil – it didn't mean she had the right to wipe all of them out. So it would be for the Vampires. And for Nick.

Buffy sighed. She missed the press of the talisman against her chest. The security that he had been able to give her was gone. The one piece of him she had left was gone.

Buffy squirmed beneath the covers suddenly feeling very alone and vulnerable. She wondered where Damon was and why he wasn't trying to get into bed with her. She would have welcomed his company. That hadn't been tied up either. The whole situation with him was in knots. She knew that she wanted him but she didn't know if it was enough…but at the same time, there wasn't anyone else that she could have wanted to carry her out of those woods the night before. He got her. From the very night that the two of them met, he managed to weasel his way into her heart. How was it even possible?

She heard somebody clear their throat across the room and when she looked up there was a man. He wore a gentleman's suit. Spiffy was the word she would have used to describe it. Yes, he looked particularly spiffy for a man at two in the morning but then again he was a vampire.

"By all means, come in," Buffy said. Her tone was mild but her gesture airy as she motioned Elijah Mikaelson towards her. He smiled politely and crossed the room, his impeccably arranged hair swaying gently as he walked. Buffy noticed his eyes immediately. They looked like Nick's. Old.

"If you will forgive the intrusion, Miss Summers. My name is Elijah." His hand was cool but gentle beneath hers as they shook.

"You're a Mikaelson too," was all Buffy said by way of greeting. Well it was obvious that he knew exactly who she was!

"That's correct," he said, seating himself on a chair beside the bed.

For a moment they simply regarded one another.

"Did you want something? An apology? Cause I have very few qualms about trying to kill your brother. Well. Brothers." She was surprised she didn't choke on the lie. All she had was qualms.

"No I did not come here for apologies, just as you would hardly expect me to excuse my own brother's behaviour. Ill-mannered as Kol may be he is a vampire and you a Slayer."

And what excuse did he have for Nick?

"The Slayer and I can live with that." She promptly placed her hands in her lap as though daring him to rebuttal.

"You're fiery. But then you would have to be. Nobody ever heard of a mousey Slayer."

"With all the Slayers you killed, you never came across one?"

Elijah's expression didn't change, he merely began reaching into his breast pocket.

"I can't say I ever did," was his matter-of-fact retort.

Buffy stiffened noticeably. Wondering just what he had secreted away in his blazer.

"You needn't be wary," He assured her.

"In these situations I would normally reach for a stake but then again what would be the point?"

Elijah emitted a chuckle, surprising them both.

"That's very astute of you, Miss Summers."

"Will you call me Buffy already, you have already barged into this house and this bedroom unannounced – I think we can dispense with the formalities."

"You're quite right of course, but, you see, my visit is of nobody else's concern but yours."

It was then that Elijah reached over and gently released the missing talisman into her lap.

"I believe this belongs to you."

Buffy held the necklace up so that she could study the pendant. The same way she had the night that Nick had given it to her. Her fingers traced the eye and each ray of the sun. She still didn't know what the words meant. Perhaps they were the enchantment that held the talisman's power. She had never asked Willow or anyone to look into it because she had never shown them. The less who knew of it the better. Her hands were perfectly steady as she placed the long chain around her neck and tucked the pendant beneath her shirt.

"Why did you bring this back to me?" She asked Elijah. He had been studying her reaction intently. So she had returned his brother's love once, even now it lingered in her eyes.

"It was Niklaus' wish that it be returned to you."

"Do you always do as Nick says?"

"He can be quite a difficult man to please though I daresay he thinks the same of me."

"You're very good at avoiding answering my questions. But I disagree with you just the same."

Elijah crossed his feet at the ankles, settling himself down as though they were about to have a long discussion.

"Might I ask what it is you disagree with me upon?"

"He isn't so difficult to please. He might come off that way but when you really get to know him then…"

She couldn't finish the thought. It was too precarious a step to take. Buffy drew her knees up to her chin instead and looked over to where Elijah waited for her to continue.

"I won't say anymore. I should think you know your brother just fine."

"Knowing somebody and understanding them are two quite different things are they not?"

"They're different," she nodded slowly.

"You see, I do happen to know my brother very well." Elijah folded his arms, settling deeper into the chair. His eyes were locked on Buffy's as he spoke. "Too well. So much so that I thought there were no surprises left with Niklaus. I believed that I even understood the motivation behind his every action. What I have come to realise quite recently is that I little understand him at all."

Terrible realisation began to dawn in the Slayer's eyes as she brought her hands to her mouth.

"Has he done something?"

"Yes. Something quite -."

"When? Why? What has he done?" Buffy suddenly felt as though she were itching all over, she abruptly threw the covers off the bed and began pacing the room. She would have to find him. This would all have to end. What could Elijah mean anyway? She looked back over to the vampire gentleman, her expression begging him to answer all of her unasked questions.

"He asked me to return your necklace to you."

Buffy stopped pacing as Elijah's voice languidly silenced every screaming thought in her head.

"My brother asked me to come, not on his behalf, but as his brother, to give back to you something that had been wrongfully taken. He asked that I would answer any questions that you perhaps felt were unanswered. He asked that I be forthcoming in every respect."

She had to sit down and did so where she stood. The wooden floor felt cold as the gravity of Elijah's words sunk in.

"I don't have any questions."

"He really did love you Buffy, as he will love no other. My brother never asks for anything. He takes as he pleases and that is the man that I thought I knew."

"But it is over, right? He knows that it can't ever be how it was…that we have to put it behind us?"

"He knows."

She didn't look at him. For the first time in a long time, her mind was quiet.

"You'll catch cold if you stay there," Elijah murmured.