"Tyler, stop," Blair practically demanded of him as he stormed down the street towards Caroline's house.
"Why? Why should I stop?" he shot back. "She knows what happened to my uncle and I want to hear her say it!" Tyler stopped quickly and turned around to face Blair, saying, "Don't you want to know, too?!"
Blair's face dropped because her lies were catching up with her. "Tyler...please."
Tyler scoffed, heading back down the street. "I know Caroline is becoming your friend and all but that doesn't matter. Not anymore."
Caroline was just exiting her house when Blair and Tyler stopped. "Hey, guys...what's going on?" She asked while walking down the porch steps.
"Do you know what happened to my uncle Mason?" Tyler asked, getting straight to the point.
Blair was standing behind Tyler so he didn't see her mouth 'I'm sorry' to Caroline.
Caroline adjusted her bag on her shoulder. "I don't know what happened, Tyler," she lied.
Tyler walked over to her saying, "Let me tell you what happened. Damon and Stefan killed him because they're vampires, just like you."
"Who told you that?" Caroline asked.
"Is it true?" Tyler shot back. "This whole time, did you know he was dead?"
Caroline could have easily thrown back that Blair knew too, but she didn't. She nodded and said, "Yes but...you have to let me explain. It's not what you think."
Tyler got so angry that he grabbed hold of Caroline and shoved her back into her car, growling "We trusted you!" as his eyes turned golden.
She still didn't mention Blair and just said, "I'm sorry, Tyler. I'm sorry, but please listen, it was Andrea!"
Blair pulled Tyler off Caroline and pointed firmly at him. "Calm down."
Tyler took a couple deep breaths as he closed his eyes and when he reopened them, they were back to normal. He didn't say another word before storming off down the street.
Once Tyler was out of earshot, Blair turned to Caroline. "I'm so sorry, Caroline."
"It's fine," she replied, even though it clearly wasn't.
"Why...why didn't you tell him about me?" Blair asked, not really getting it.
"Because we're friends, Blair. And Tyler needs you," Caroline answered, getting into her car. "You both have lost so much. I wasn't about to let you lose each other too."
Blair opened her mouth to say something but now words came out because she was thinking about a past life.
This caught Caroline's attention, "What?"
Blair was brought back to the present, saying, "Nothing, it's just...you really remind me of Lexi."
Caroline smiled, taking that as a compliment, then joked, "Don't go falling in love with me now. I don't play for that team."
Blair saluted, saying, "Duly noted."
As Caroline was getting into her car, Blair said, "Thanks..."
Caroline smiled a little, "Anytime, Blair. You're stuck with me now."
As Blair watched Caroline drive off, she couldn't help but think about Tara and Lexi. More importantly...the first time Tara met Lexi...
1980's, San Fransisco
Tara was dancing to the music all alone in the club. She wasn't the only one on the dance floor but she was the only one without a dance partner. It bother her much, she had gotten used to it. Not everyone was willing to dance with an almost six foot tall, pale woman with crazy red hair and freckles. Tara never let other bring her down. She did her own thing and lived life to the fullest, especially when she knew she only had twenty five years to live it. That night, was her twenty forth birthday and she was going to damn well enjoy it when she could.
One of Tara's favorite songs started to play and that just fueled her desire for fun. Was she the best dancer? Oh no, not by a long shot, but her love for life radiated off of her. This is what caught Lexi's eye and pulled her in.
Lexi was getting a drink when a flash of red caught her peripheral. For a split second she thought a fire had ignited it was so red, but when she turned around her eyes locked on the woman dancing alone, carefree. A smile spread across her lips as she watched this woman move. An idea came to her mind in that moment so she acted upon it. Lexi handed her untouched drink to the person next to her and said, "Enjoy," before heading out onto the dance floor, making her way through the bodies with ease.
Tara stopped in shock when a stunning blonde woman started dancing with her. "Did you draw the short straw on a dare or something?" She asked loud enough for the woman to hear.
"What makes you ask that?" she replied, dancing around the lovely redhead.
Tara laughed, "Because you're dancing...with me," she answered as she got back into the music.
Lexi stopped in front of her and smiled. "I didn't lose a dare, but if drawing the short straw did mean dancing with you, then I'm the luckiest person here."
Tara smiled and blushed so deep that Lexi laughed happily. "I'm Lexi," she informed.
"Tara," she replied, still smiling.
"Congratulations, Tara," Lexi said with laughter.
"For what?" Tara asked in reply, laughing a bit in confusion.
Lexi looked right into her eyes, saying, "Because, you're stuck with me now."
The ladies danced and laughed much of the night away and they were 'stuck' with each other...up until the night of Tara's death...One day before her twenty fifth birthday. But damn, that year with Lexi was the best year of Tara's life...
'Present Day', Mystic Falls
Emery stopped before going into the kitchen with Elena at the Gilbert house. "I don't want to go in there."
Elena turned to her sister, asking, "Why? You have a better relationship than I do with him." Referring to John Gilbert.
"Doing everything possible to gain his approval while seeing him once in a blue moon is hardly a relationship," Emery retorted.
"He...he wasn't around you growing up?" Elena asked this because, while bits and pieces were tossed out there, they never really talked about Emery's family life.
"Hardly," Emery answered. "But he was around more than my mother, so I have to give him credit for that." She ran a hand through her hair, shaking out a couple knots she met along the way before saying, "Let's get this over with."
The girls entered the kitchen as John was pouring some coffee while watching the news. "Morning," he greeted.
"What are you doing here?" Elena asked.
"Coffee?" he asked in reply, raising the pot.
"No," Emery answered. "We did this last night. No more avoiding. Why are you here?"
John looked at Elena when he answered. "Since Emery here cannot stick to a simple arrangement, and has failed greatly at keeping me in the loop, I'm here to protect you. That's all I can say for the moment."
Emery looked like she wanted to slug him. She probably would have if it wasn't for the pendant around her neck to control her temper and the fact that Elena had spoken.
"Don't talk about her like she's not even here," Elena ordered, defending her sister. "And what do you mean that's all you can say?"
John looked between the girls, saying, "I'll tell you more when I'm convinced I can trust you."
Before any more words could be said, Jenna rushed into the kitchen saying, "Oh, god, I'm so late."
Alaric followed, chuckling, "Well that's what you get for hitting the snooze button three times."
Jenna caught sight of John and her eyes went wide. "What the hell?"
"Well good morning to you too, Jenna. Alaric," he greeted.
Jenna looked at Elena asking, "It's okay I'm confused, right?" before turning back to John, "Because we were not expecting you, like, ever."
"Well," John answered, "I got in late last night. Elena let me in."
Alaric gave the 'Gilbert Girls' a look before saying to Jenna, "You know, I think I'm just going to take off."
Jenna said "Bye" to Rick then got back to the matter at hand. "I'm still confused here."
"I've decided to come back and stay for awhile," John replied, looking at the girls.
"Not here, you're not," Jenna answered firmly.
"Actually," he countered, "you can't stop me from living here."
"Actually, I can, as legal guardian," Jenna retorted.
John couldn't wait to burst that bubble. "Yeah, about that," he turned to the girls, more specifically Elena. "Elena, would you like me to explain the situation or would you like to do the honors?"
"What is going on?" Jenna asked, looking at those in the room, not even questioning why Emery was still there because that was just one more thing that she couldn't wonder about at the moment.
"I'm sorry, Jenna," Elena replied. "I should've told you earlier, but..."
John finished her sentence for her, "I'm Elena's biological father," and added the next part in just for kicks, "Emery's too. There, now you know." After that he left the room to leave the ladies to the aftermath.
Jenna looked at the girls in shock, saying, "Uh...what?"
Blair walked into the kitchen at that moment and saw the looks on everyone's faces, making her stop dead in her tracks. "Uh...what did I just walk in on?"
"Elena here was just about to explain the genetics of sisters," Jenna answered, looking at the girls.
"You told her Emery's our sister?" Blair asked, walking over to Elena.
Jenna's head looked even more blown. "WHAT?!"
"Actually," Emery retorted, "John just told her about me and Elena."
Blair had a literal face palm moment after that.
"Someone better explain, right now," Jenna was sick of the secrets.
Emery was the one that answered, "John is Elena and my biological father. Vivian Alden is Blair and my biological mother. So, while Blair and Elena aren't sisters, they're each my sister. Get it?"
Jenna glared at her for a moment, "Do not sass me right now."
Blair winced a little, backing out the door after reading a text from Tyler. "Jenna, I'm sorry about this sudden revelation, but...I have to go." Before anyone could really react, she darted out the door.
Jenna looked pissed, confused, and a whole other array of emotions before pointing between the girls, "This. This is not over."
John walked up to the Hawthorne residence and didn't even bother knocking before trying to get inside. Jane Hawthorne had planned for occasions such as this, therefore John hit an invisible wall, just as any uninvited vampire would have. "Dammit, Jane!" he called out into the house. "Let me in!"
A stunning dark skinned woman walked up to the door. Her long braids fell freely down her body. Seeing John Gilbert made her cross her arms, smugly. "Only those I want into my home are welcome here. You are not welcome."
"Stop treating me like a vampire, Jane. Now invite me the hell inside!" John ordered, clearly displeased.
"Now why would I do that, when this is so much more fun?" Jane asked, smirking.
"Because it's about Emery," John replied.
This caught her attention and held it. "John Gilbert, you are welcomed inside my home."
Those words lifted the spell for him so he was able to cross the threshold. "What the hell is going on here, A'majane?"
"Oooo, my whole name. I must be in trouble," Jane replied, leading him into the kitchen. "Now, Gilbert, you must be more specific. I have a lot going on here." She sat down at the table with an array of Grimoires in front of her.
"Why has Emery told Elena about herself? That was not part of the plan!" John was not happy about this.
Jane looked at him blankly. "What did you expect, John? Emery has longed for a connection to someone in her bloodline since you and Vivian have clearly wanted almost nothing to do with her."
John put his hands on the table and leaned forward, right in her face. "You better keep a closer eye upon her A'majane, or I will take Emery away from you. If it wasn't for me you wouldn't even have her."
Jane was not phased by his threat. "Actually, it is because of Vivian. If she has an objection then I will listen."
John scoffed, standing straight. "How do you think she will like hearing that Emery has told Blair too?"
Jane froze mid page flip and looked at him. "You wouldn't dare."
He crossed his arms. "Wouldn't I?"
Jane stood up quickly and with a twist to her hand John was being lifted from the floor feeling as if he was being strangled. "I have put up with you long enough out of love for that little girl. You threaten to take her from me one more time and this...this will feel like a tickle." She released the magic upon him and he just about keeled over trying to catch his breath.
"Now that that's settled," Jane spoke more calmly, taking her seat. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
John coughed, catching his breath, and when he finally had it back he said, "I need that spell."
"The one I already told you I wouldn't give?" Jane scoffed, "I don't think so."
"Jane..."
"No," she cut him off. "I know what your eldest daughter is and I know what is coming for her. If Klaus succeeds in the ritual..." she couldn't even finish her thought. Instead, she said, "I cannot help you."
"She's my daughter, Jane. My daughter," John looked at her pleadingly. "Give me the spell." When she was silent he spoke with more force, "Give me the spell, dammit!"
"I will not give you the spell, but I can give you something else," Jane rose from her seat and with a wave of her hand she revealed a hidden cupboard. Jane pulled out an item that was wrapped in cloth and brought it to him. "This is how you can...kill an original." Jane unwrapped the objects revealing a dagger and a vial of white oak ash. "In case you are a slow learner, I have included the instructions," she added sarcastically before rewrapping the items, placing them into a satchel before handing them to John. "Do thank Isobel for these. She is very handy when it comes to finding things out."
Once they were in his possession, without word or warning, Jane said, "John Gilbert, you are no longer welcomed in my home."
With those words, the kitchen door flew open and an invisible force threw him out the door.
Glory walked into the kitchen as the door slammed shut and asked, "If that doesn't stop Klaus...the Doppelganger cannot be allowed to live, right?"
Jane looked at her and concurred. "The Doppelganger cannot be allowed to live."
Blair went to Tyler's house and knocked on the door, waiting for him to answer. When he did, he didn't look too happy with her. Even so, he said, "Come on in."
Blair walked into the house and followed him into his father's office, finding Jules sitting there on the sofa.
"Hello, Blair," Jules greeted. "Good timing. I just got here myself."
Blair sat on the arm of the nearby chair, asking, "What do you want?"
"I wanted to see if I was right about your little vampire friend, lying," Jules answered. "And to make it damn clear that a vampire will never be your friend."
"Caroline had nothing to do with Mason's death. She told us who did it and it wasn't her," Blair countered, defending Caroline.
"And you believe her?" Jules scoffed, shaking her head. "What is it with the werewolves in this town defending vampires. It's in our nature to be enemies." Getting back to the point she wanted to make, she moved on, saying, "You two need to leave here. It's not safe."
"We're not just going to run away with you," Tyler replied, gesturing to himself and Blair. "We have people who care about us that will freak, for one thing. And for another, we don't even know you."
Blair pointed at Tyler and looked at Jules with a 'what he said' expression on her face, then added something of her own. "Our lives are here."
"Your old lives," Jules countered. "Your new lives are just beginning. You both have so much to learn."
"Like what?" Tyler asked curiously.
"How to survive," Jules answered. "Tyler, Blair, you've triggered your curses. It's important you learn what it means to be a Lycanthrope. We live by a code of loyalty. We take care of each other."
"Blair and I have that," Tyler retorted. "We take care of each other."
Jules nodded with a sigh. "I understand that, Tyler. I understand that you two are a pack but you're both new, you need guidance. It's my duty and honor to help you." She looked from Tyler to Blair, saying, "Please let me."
They looked at each other but didn't say a word. Tyler was considering it because he didn't see what was wrong about having backup and Blair was considering it because she thought knowing what was going on with the wolves was better than being surprised.
Emery opened the door at the Gilbert house and Damon came right in asking, "Where's John?"
"He's not here," she replied, closing the door. "He appeared last night, announced to Jenna that Elena and I are his kids this morning, then he left."
Damon looked confused as he asked, "That's public knowledge, now?"
"Apparently," Emery answered, sighing.
"You okay?" Damon asked, looking concerned.
"Yeah, Elena and Jenna are working through things, but I'm okay." Emery took a sip from a coffee after answering.
"Do you know why he's here? Did he say?" were Damon's next questions.
"I'm out of the loop on this one," she answered, honestly then said, "According to Elena, Stefan thinks he's telling the truth about wanting to help her."
"Do you believe him?" he asked.
Emery scoffed, setting down her coffee. "Hell, no. I don't believe him for a second. I'm done trying to be daddy's little girl that does everything he says to win his approval."
"I don't either," Damon replied. "And good for you."
"So, what do we do?" Emery asked, putting her hands on her hips.
Damon headed for the door as he said, "Kill him."
"Damon," Emery said in a warning tone. She may not like her father but that didn't mean she wanted him dead.
"I'm kidding...sort of," Damon replied, grinning.
"Damon!" Emery scolded in warning.
Damon put his hands out to his sides. "I'm not going to hurt him, Emery. I'm the good guy now, remember?"
Emery rose her brow in question as he crossed her arms. "Good guy? You? What exactly does that mean?"
"I'm gonna have a civil conversation with your father." Damon held his right hand like he was swearing on the Bible.
"You're doing what?" Elena asked, coming down the stairs but Damon didn't stick around to answer.
"We're coming with you!" Emery called out as she and Elena followed him out the door.
Jane walked into the town square for the memorial service and spotted Dr Jonas Martin, just the man...just the witch she was looking for. Heading straight for him, she said, "Hello, Doctor Martin."
Jonas looked surprised to see her. "A'majane?" his voice expressed his surprise.
"The one and only," she replied, grinning. "And now that I have your attention, there's a matter we need to discuss." Linking her arm with his, she began to walk with him. "I'm sure you've put together by now that Mystic Falls is my new home. Which means this is my girl's home. And I want my girl to walk freely in this town without worrying about the bounty upon her head." Looking at him firmly, "Do we have an understanding?"
"Glory...she's under your protection?" Jonas asked as they walked, wanting to know all he needed to.
Jane smiled wide and gently pat his shoulder. "I knew you were smart." Her voice grew darker as she said, "Now let's see how smart."
Jonas stopped walking and made something very clear. "A'majane, I swear that my son and I are not here for your charge, nor will we reveal her location. Luka and I are here for a completely different reason."
"Ah, yes, I have heard about your alliance with the Original," Jane replied, clicking her tongue. "As long as that alliance and your plans don't harm my girl, then you will not have a problem with me."
Jonas bowed his head in understanding and agreement. "They won't, you have my word."
"Good. Now you won't have to worry about making an enemy of me." Jane answered then added with sass as she walked away, "And I won't have to worry about breaking a nail."
Jules had left, leaving Tyler and Blair alone in the office. He was sitting at the desk while she was laying back on the couch with a pillow over her face. "You doing okay over there?" he asked while typing on the computer.
"I have a lot on my mind," Blair replied, her voice muffled by the pillow.
"More Area 51 stuff?" He teased, smirking.
A sarcastic "Ha. Ha. Ha," escaped her before she moved the object from her face. When she did, she spotted Stefan standing behind Tyler in the doorway. "Holy shit!" she gasped in surprise.
Tyler ran over to Blair protectively and Stefan sped in front of them. "I'm not here to hurt you," Stefan informed them as he kept the promise he made to Caroline to go along with the facade that Blair didn't know what happened and such.
"Then why did you break in?" Tyler asked as Blair rose to her feet.
"Would you have let me in otherwise?" Stefan replied.
"Tyler!" Mrs Lockwood's voice called out, making Tyler want to make a move for it.
Stefan caught onto this and with his speed he got a hold of Blair and pulled her out of the doorway's sight. "Not a word," Stefan ordered as he vamped out on them.
Tyler, not about to risk her, kept his mouth shut as Carol called out, "Tyler, I'm going to the memorial!" A moment later, they heard the front door close.
Stefan released his grip on Blair, who glared at him to no end, as he said, "Maybe we're getting off on the wrong foot her."
Blair flipped Stefan off as she walked over to Tyler, but her eyes said 'thank you' as she did.
Tyler stood near her defensively as he asked, "What happened to Mason?"
Stefan sighed, "There's a lot we need to talk about, Tyler, but your uncle was killed by a vampire named Andrea. She's dead now."
"Is that supposed to make things better?" Tyler shot back. "Especially when Caroline knew but didn't say anything!"
"Look," Stefan retorted, "Caroline, even with all her flaws, when push comes to shove you're gonna want that on your side." Looking at the two of them, he added, "She's your friend," but stopping on Tyler he said, "Stop being a dick to her."
"I thought vampires hated werewolves?" Tyler asked, seeing some holes in what Stefan was trying to do here.
"That's some sort of leftover idea from another time," Stefan replied. "It doesn't have to be that way anymore." Looking at Blair before going back to Tyler he said, "We have the same friends. We go to the same school. We keep the same secrets. This can work." His eyes definitely went to Blair at the secrets part.
"This is your home, and it's my home too," Stefan continued. "I want this to work."
"Tyler..." Blair began but his cell phone started to buzz. "Oh, Tyler don't..." she tried to stop him but he was too late. Tyler answered the call and said, "Help. Help." before Stefan got the phone away from him.
"Who was it?" Blair asked going over to Tyler, but he didn't answer.
Stefan was irked to no end. "Damn it, Tyler! I'm trying to save your lives, can't you see that?"
They group was quiet for awhile, the sun had set before anything else was spoken by any of them.
"You want to be friends?" Tyler asked a pacing Stefan, "Fine, we're friends. We're the damn Three Musketeers. Will you go now?"
"I don't know what else to say to you, Tyler. I came back to this town because I wanted a life. I wanted to exist where I could have friends and where I could build a family." Stefan replied. "We can all have that here."
"Except you're missing the part where one of you killed a member of my family," Tyler shot back.
Stefan rubbed his face, sighing, before answering. "Tyler, your uncle was killed by a very vicious vampire. She had no conscious, no remorse...no soul. Andrea didn't care who she killed or why. Caroline didn't kill him, Damon didn't, I didn't. Andrea did and she's dead now." Doubting he was going to get through to him any further he looked at Blair, asking, "You've been pretty quiet. What do you have to say about this, Blair?"
"I think it's stupid to hate all vampires because we're genetically supposed to. And...I believe you." Blair looked at Tyler saying, "I'm sorry if you don't agree with me on this...but I believe him and...I trust him. He was my friend before all this, Tyler. You have to remember that. I know him and...I trust him."
Tyler didn't look too pleased about this but he didn't argue about it either.
Stefan cell rang and Blair didn't pay any attention to it until he heard him say Jules' name. "What's going on?" She asked, rising to her feet.
Stefan didn't answer and just heard Caroline's screams on the other end of the line. "You hurt her again, and you're dead."
It wasn't long after he spoke that Jules gave her demands and a timeline. When Stefan ended the call, Blair asked again, "What's going on?"
Stefan looked at Blair, trying to keep himself in check as he said, "That was Jules...she has Caroline."
Damon and the Gilbert Girls walked into the Grill, spotting John standing at Jenna and Alaric's table. "Damon," Elena stated, "we just want answers so don't do anything stupid."
"But stupid is so much for fun," Damon whined in retort.
"He kinda has a point," Emery replied, but when she received a look from Elena, she added, "Or, Damon, would could be the better man, or whatever the saying is."
Elena shook her head at her sister then followed her and Damon over to the table.
"John, buddy, how you doing?" Damon asked, pretending to be friendly.
"Hello, Damon. Good to see you," he replied, pretending to do the same.
"Why do I suddenly want some popcorn?" Emery whispered to Elena who shushed her in reply, but that just made Emery chuckle before going back to paying attention.
John left the group and Damon followed, Emery staying far enough back but close enough so she could still hear.
"So, John," Damon began as John lit a candle for the memorial of those who've been lost, "Rumor has it that you know a lot but won't say anything."
"How do I know you can be trusted, Damon?" he asked in reply then continued, "Originals can compel vampires. And according to Stefan, that's why Katherine is still in the tomb, because an Original has compelled her to stay there."
"Only because all the vervain has left her system," Damon replied, lighting a match for a candle. "Stefan and I, on the other hand, are chock full."
John looked surprised to hear this. "You guys are drinking vervain?"
Damon blew out the match, and answered like it was nothing, "It's an acquired taste." He looked down at John's hand and added, "I don't see that magical ring on your stitched finger, so if you know something about Klaus, then you better start talking." Damon got close enough to John to whisper, "Or I will kill you in your sleep."
"Now, is that any way to convince me that you and I are on the same side?" John retorted. "First, I need to know that I can trust you, Damon, that I can count on you. Then we'll talk."
John looked back to see a not so stealthy Emery staying within earshot of their conversation. "Now, I wonder," he starting saying as he turned back to Damon, "Is she sticking around for my protection...or yours." Before Damon could get a word out, John shook his head thinking aloud, "What is it with my daughters and vampires?" left it at that and walked away.
Damon's brow furrowed curiously as he went on his way as well.
Emery missed the last bit between them and was going to ask Damon but he walked right past her, ignoring her presence, and went to the bar. There was no dire need for that information, so she decided to talk to Elena.
"How's it going, Elena?" Emery asked, even though her eyes were on Damon and some woman who Jenna had introduced him to.
"I think I should be asking you that..." Elena replied, turning her attention towards the bar as well. "You're not into him, are you?" she asked, thinking that was the only logical explanation.
Emery scoffed, "Into him? Hardly. I'm trying to figure him out. That's all."
Elena sounded skeptical when she answered with, "Good luck with that."
As Damon left the bar, and the woman there, Emery said, "You just totally blew her off."
"I'm staying away from all women at the moment," Damon replied.
Emery gestured between herself and Elena, asking, "And what are we? Chopped liver?"
Damon practically rolled his eyes before saying, "No, you two are in the 'Not Interested' category. Staying away from women is in the best interest of all ladies everywhere."
"Blair really did some damage on you, didn't she?" Emery asked, even though she knew it was going to hit a sore spot.
Damon didn't say a word to that and downed his drink with one gulp.
Emery was about to say something else but her phone buzzed with a text from Glory. "I'll check in later, I have to go," she informed them before leaving the Grill.
However, Emery didn't even make it home before she got a call from Damon saying that he needed her assistance with something. He made sure to add in the fact that Blair was involved. Right when Emery was about to refuse, Damon made sure to say, "You did say you'd never throw your real sister under the bus, right?"
Emery grumbled as he used her words against her then agreed to the plan.
Stefan walked into the clearing near a Winnebago with his grip on both Tyler and Blair. Jules was standing there, arms crossed, waiting for them. "Where's Caroline?" Stefan asked as they stopped.
"Locked up tight," Jules replied.
"Let her go and I'll release Blair and Tyler," Stefan negotiated. "This doesn't have to get any messier than it already has. I'm not your enemy, Jules."
Jules scoffed. "It's a little late to be waving the white flag, don't you think?"
Stefan took a breath. "You need to leave town. No one else has to get hurt."
Jules was firm as she answered, "I'm not leaving without them," gesturing to Blair and Tyler.
"They're free to make their own decisions," Stefan retorted. "As soon as you release Caroline."
Damon and Emery walked into view, Damon saying, "My brother the peacemaker." Smirking, he said, "Since my brother got here before us, I'm gonna let him try it his way before I resort to my way."
"Let's hope Stefan's way works because Damon's way...is a little bloodier," Emery chimed in, bringing her finger and thumb close together to emphasize the 'little' part in her statement. "So, just give us Caroline."
"Let go of Blair and Tyler," Jules firmly retorted.
Damon tried this time. "Give us Caroline. Without a full moon it's not even a fight and you know it. We'll take you."
Jules looked smug, saying, "I'm not so sure about that, tough guy." She brought her fingers to her mouth and let out a shrill of a whistle. After the signal was given, a group emerged from the forest around them, each one with a various form of weapon that was deadly to a vampire.
Emery pulled off her pendant, to give her a little edge as she looked at one guy asking, "Is that a flamethrower? Does that guy literally have a freaking flamethrower?!"
Jules chuckled, "That's right. Now, let's try this again. Give us Tyler and Blair."
Damon looked at them saying, "You heard her, go. Get over there."
They looked at each other for a moment before making their way towards Jules together.
"Which one of you killed Mason?" one of the wolves asked.
"That'd be a vampire named Andrea, who's long dead so don't worry about her," Damon answered with snark.
"But you knew her," the same wolf replied, pointing to Damon. "Boys, make sure that one sufferers."
When the fighting began, Blair ran inside, with Tyler right behind her, and found Caroline in a cage.
"Blair!" Caroline exclaimed, "There's a latch, I can't get to it!"
Blair was about to undo the latch when Tyler grabbed a hold of her arm and said, "Wait..."
Blair didn't even mean to do it, but her eyes went yellow and she growled at him, "She's our friend."
Tyler quickly let go of her and said, "I'm sorry," before undoing the latch.
Blair heard Emery's cries from outside and said, "Take care of her!" before running out. She saw one of the wolves going after her sister and as he eyes turned golden again she ran towards them. Blair tackled the wolf to the ground, growling, "Stay away from my sister!" and used the wolf's own stake on him, driving it into his heart like she would have a vampire.
Blair rushed over to Emery and pulled her close before standing protectively near her.
Another wolf was about to charge towards her when all of a sudden the 'opposing team' was crying out in pain and dropping like flies. "Glory?" Blair asked looking at Emery.
"I didn't tell her...or my mom," Emery replied, looking around to see if either of them had tracked her down somehow. Only it wasn't them she spotted, but Jonas. He was the one casting the spell on the wolf pack, rendering them unconscious.
"Elijah made a promise to Elena," Jonas announced. "I'm here to see it's upheld. You need to go."
Stefan, Damon, and Caroline all headed off as Blair and Emery were about to, but Tyler stopped them. "You have a sister?" He didn't even have to ask if she was like them because he could tell by the look of her that she and Blair shared a mother, not a father.
"Yeah, I do," Blair replied, then added, "Long story," Leaving it at that, Blair, with her arm around Emery, followed after the others.
Jonas didn't stop or question them because he knew of Emery and knew she was one of A'majane's wards. To avoid conflict, he let them leave then looked at Tyler firmly. "When your friends awaken, give them a message. They need to get he hell out of this town." Since his job was done, he walked away, leaving Tyler alone.
After making sure Emery got home okay, Blair went to Caroline's house to check on her. Only she didn't go to the front door and went through her bedroom window.
Caroline walked into the room, wanting to get changed, and jumped at the sight of her. "Good god, Blair! Give me a heart attack, why don't you?"
When Blair was fully inside, she said, "That always looks cooler in the movies," then added, "And hey, at least you'll heal from the heart attack."
"Funny," Caroline sarcastically replied, taking a seat in front of her vanity to start pulling out the splinters of wood in her skin.
Blair went over to her and said softly, "Let me." When Caroline didn't put up a fight, Blair started pulling out the pieces of wood. "I'm sorry," she said sincerely when Caroline's winced every time.
After pulling a couple out, Blair got a look at them and said, "Toothpicks? The son of a bitch shot toothpicks at you?!"
"I'm fine, Blair," Caroline replied, moving some of her hair out of the way to get at the other pieces. "I'm not girlie little Caroline anymore. I can take care of myself."
Blair dropped the toothpicks in the trash and said, "I know, but still, there's no shame in being upset about it. You've earned that right." Wanting to make something clear, she said, "I didn't know Caroline...I would have warned you if I had known...I'm so sorry, I..." Blair didn't even realize her voice was breaking until she couldn't even speak.
Caroline turned around in her seat and took Blair's hands in hers, getting teary eyed herself. "Blair, listen to me, I don't blame you, okay? I don't blame you."
Blair sniffled, nodding her head then turned around when she heard the doorbell. "I'll get it," she said and grabbed a tissue on her way out to the door. To say that seeing Tyler standing on the other side would be an understatement.
"How is she?" Tyler asked upon seeing Blair.
"How do you think she is, Tyler?" shot shot back.
"Blair, you have to believe me, I didn't know Jules was planning on going after her..." Tyler was cut off by Blair's words.
"Do you know what they did to her, Tyler? They tortured her...and you tried to stop me from saving her." Blair crossed her arms, trying to stay in check.
"I'm sorry, Blair. I...I don't know who to trust anymore," he admitted. "Caroline lied to me, you've lied to me and..."
"We lied to protect our friends. We lied to protect you! Don't you get that?!" Blair shouted at him. "And you tried to stop me, you son of a bitch!" Without even realizing it, she had pushed Tyler away. "And then you stood there doing nothing! They were going to kill Caroline, Damon, Stefan, my sister, and probably me too for helping them and you did nothing! Two wolves in a pod, you said. We're in this together, you said. Bullshit!"
"I...I'm sorry," Tyler stammered, "I...I didn't know what to do."
"You help your friends. You help you pack. That's what you do!" Blair emotionally shouted at him.
"Blair...I'm sorry..." Tyler tried reaching out to her, but she pulled away.
"No, Tyler. No. It's too late. We're not friends anymore. We're not a pack anymore. We're nothing." Blair was about to slam the door in his face but she had one more thing to say, "What happened to Caroline tonight, that will never happen again. If they even try to come after her or anyone else I care about again, I will make them pay in ways they've never imagined. I've been around for a long time, Tyler. I've learned a thing or two about inflicting pain over the years. So you go ahead and tell your new pack if they try anything else in this town again, I'll kill them myself. Now get the hell away from this house."
Blair slammed the door in Tyler's face and turned around to see Caroline standing there. This time she was the one who almost had a heart attack. "Caroline...I didn't mean to speak for you but..."
Caroline cut her off by saying, "No, it's okay. I think you covered everything."
After that, Caroline headed off to take a shower and Blair got an idea. She pulled out her phone, called Elena and said, "Hey...I could use your help with something..."
By the time Caroline was out of the shower, Elena and Bonnie had arrived with slumber party supplies. Seeing them all at the door after she opened it, made Caroline look back to Blair in question.
Blair slipped her hands into her pockets and shrugged. "I thought I could use the backup, no big deal."
Caroline started crying as she pulled them all into a group hug and stayed like that for a little while. This night made it clear that they would always be there for each other...'stuck' with each other, always.
End Episode 13