Rachel wakes up in Damon's arms the next morning. She watches him and smiles slightly.

"You know, someone once told me it was creepy to watch people sleep."

She laughs, "Who would say that?"

He smiles, but it fades into a frown, "I can't believe Ric is gone."

Rachel frowns, "I can't help but think this is all my fault. If I hadn't let-"

Damon grabs her face, "Look at me. This isn't your fault. Esther had taken over your body. Don't blame yourself, ok?"

Rachel smiles sadly, "Ok."

She puts her hand on the hand that was on her face, "I have missed this. I know you can't forgive me but thank you for letting me stay here with you last night."

Damon looks at their joined hands, "I do forgive you. I don't think I could live another minute without you."

Rachel smiles and he kisses her passionately.

Stefan holds Elena as she cries, "It's going to be ok. I know it hurts."

Elena just shakes her head, "This isn't right."

Someone knocks on the door and they get up to answer it.

Bonnie steps in and says, "I might have done something… horrible."

They frown.

Stefan leads them to the couch, "Let me go get Rachel and Damon. I figure it will be easier to say this once."

He runs upstairs and knocks on Damon's door.

Damon opens the door, "What do you want?"

Stefan frowns, "Bonnie is here and there seems to be bad news."

Damon rolls his eyes, "Of course there is."

Rachel walks over, "We will be right down."

They all gather in the living room.

Bonnie clears her throat, "So, last night I must have sleepwalked to the tomb where Alaric was and let him drink my blood."

Rachel's eyes widen, "You mean to tell me that there is someone out there who has an indestructible white oak stake who wants all vampires dead?"

Bonnie nods.

Rachel sighs heavily, "Great."

Elena sits down, exasperated, "I have to go to the school and empty out his office. I don't want someone else to do it and find all of his weapons."

Rachel sits next to her and grabs her hand, "Are you sure you want to do that? I know how hard this is for you."

Elena smiles, slightly, "Yeah it will keep my mind off of everything."

Rachel agrees, "I will go with you and the rest of you can look for Alaric."

They arrive at the school and see Caroline's car.

Rachel frowns, "Why is Caroline here?"

Elena shrugs, "She signed up to clean up after the dance."

Rachel laughs, "That must suck since we really didn't get to enjoy it."

Elena smiles, "We will help her after we clean out Alaric's office."

Rachel opens the door, "Why don't I clean his office and you help Caroline?"

Elena gives her a questioning look, "Are you sure?"

Rachel nods and Elena hugs her.

Rachel rounds the corner to Alaric's office and freezes. She can hear him talking. She slowly approaches and sees Caroline sitting at a desk with pencils in her hands and a gag in her mouth.

She quickly text Damon and Elena then she walks in, "Ric. Let her go."

Alaric looks at her and smiles, "Well, well look who has joined us. Are you here to be the hero?"

Rachel frowns, "Please. Alaric we are your friends."

He laughs, "No you were friends with the weak Alaric."

Rachel speeds towards Caroline and pulls out one of the pencils. Alaric throws her against the wall. Caroline pulls out the other pencil and quickly gets the gag off. She runs forward and kicks Alaric in the stomach and knocking him into the desk. They run out and he runs behind them and snaps both of their necks.

Damon and Stefan walk in the school and see Caroline and Rachel lying on the floor. They look around.

Damon listens, "Where do you think he is?"

Alaric rounds the corner with Elena in his arms.

"Looking for something?"

Stefan yells, "Let her go!"

He laughs, "Ok."

He throws her against the lockers and she falls to the ground. He speeds forward and snaps both Damon and Stefan's necks.

He pulls out his stake and is about to stake Damon when Elena gets up and holds a knife to her neck, "If I die, you die, remember?"

Rachel, who had woken up seconds before, gasps with shock. Alaric looks behind him and Elena runs forward and stabs him in the neck with the knife, which was laced with vervain. She puts her hand on Alaric's chest.

Rachel frowns, "What are you doing?"

Elena looks up, "Bonnie is doing a desiccation spell and it won't kill him but it will make it so he can't move or do anything."

The next day they held a small funeral for Alaric. The coffin with Alaric's body was buried without a marker, just in case someone later decided to look for him. They put the fake plot next to Jenna's. They all go back to the Grill for the memorial. Elena and Jeremy talk about how great Alaric was and how hard it was going to be not having him around. Damon sits in their normal drinking spot and orders two bourbons.

Rachel gets up on stage, "I thought I would sing a song that really represents Alaric for not only me but also Jeremy and Elena who he helped take care of and for Damon who he was friends with despite some of his faults and for hopefully the rest of you. He was an inspiration to all of us."

Those school girl days

Of telling tales and biting nails are gone

But in my mind I know

They will still live on and on

But how do you thank someone

Who has taken you

From crayons to perfume?

Oh, it isn't easy but I'll try

If you wanted the sky

I would write across the sky in letters

That would soar a thousand feet high

To sir, with love

The time has come

For closing books and long

Last looks must end

And as I leave, I know that

I am leaving my best friend

A friend who taught me right from wrong

And weak from strong that's a lot to learn

What can I give you in return?

If you wanted the moon

I would try to make a start but I

Would rather you let give my heart

To sir, with love

She smiles as the tears run down her face, "We will miss you, Alaric."

She walks off the stage and hugs Elena and Jeremy.

Elena sniffles, "That was perfect."

Jeremy agrees, "Thank you."

She turns to Damon and he kisses her, "You are amazing."