Elena, Caroline and Bonnie were all squished onto Caroline's bed while Elowen and Josiah crashed on the floor. Josiah had complained that it wasn't fair that he couldn't be on the bed with Caroline, but Bonnie claimed that there was a 'no boyfriend on the bed' rule and that he was only there because they allowed him to be.

Elowen's phone started to ring, promptly waking up everybody in the room. They all groaned and Caroline pulled her pillow over her head to try and block out the noise.

"Go away!" She grumbled.

Elowen crawled across the floor towards her things and pulled her phone out of her bag so she could answer it.

"Hello?" She greeted sleepily. Josiah threw his pillow in her direction and hit her square on the head. She threw it back, but missed.

"Shh!" Bonnie shushed, while Caroline peeked out from under her pillow.

"Elowen!"

Elowen shot Caroline a look of annoyance and dragged herself out of the room to continue the conversation.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" Stefan asked through the line.

"Maybe," Elowen replied.

"Oops. How was the slumber party?"

"Good and much needed. Josiah let us paint his nails and braid his hair. He almost let us do his makeup, but he chickened out."

Stefan laughed. "Josiah was there?"

"He refused to leave." A smile crept onto Elowen's face. "Speaking of sleepovers, when can you and I have one?"

"Hmm," Stefan hummed. "That can be arranged."

"Okay. Now. Today. Take me far, far away."

"Even with everything that's going on?"

"Because of everything that's going on."

"Well, in that case, where would you like to go?"

"Actually, and I know this is gonna ruin the moment a little bit, I was thinking we could bring Elena and Toby along. He's got a thing for her and they were supposed to have a date yesterday that never happened because of everything that went down."

"So, like a double date type of thing?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, I'm fine with that. Now we just need to figure out a place to go that will fit all four of us."

Elowen glanced back into the room to look at Elena's sleeping form.

"I think I might know of a place."

xxxx

There was a knock on the door and Esmeralda came downstairs to answer it. She was the only one awake and with Elowen and Josiah gone for the morning, it was only her, Eliana and Sydney.

She gasped when she saw who was on the other side.

"Elijah."

Elijah bowed his head in greeting. "Hello, Esmeralda. I hope you've been well."

Esmeralda quickly stepped outside and closed the door behind her. Elijah smiled softly at the sight of her and raised a hand to caress her cheek with the back of his fingers. Esmeralda had to stop herself from leaning into his warm touch. Whatever fling they might've had all those years ago was in the past and in the past is where it would stay. She reached up with her own hand, grabbed his and pushed it away from her face.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, trying to deflect his movements.

Truth be told, when she first heard Elena had made a deal with a vampire named Elijah, part of her was hoping it was a different Elijah. At the same time, part of her was hoping it was her Elijah. 'Her Elijah'. She couldn't believe she'd even thought that. She was also most definitely was not expecting a visit from him.

"It's come to my attention that your lovely daughter has the moonstone in her possession," Elijah replied calmly.

"What do you want it for? It's been de-spelled."

"I think you and I both know that's not the case. Your daughter knew, too, or else she wouldn't have taken it. Truthfully, the 'spell' Luka used was supposed to be a distraction so we could obtain the stone, but she's much smarter than I originally thought."

"And why should I just give it to you?"

"Because you know that you can trust me."

"No, I don't. I haven't seen you in 16 years, Elijah. I don't know you anymore."

"You know that I'm a man of my word. I keep my promises and I see them through."

Elijah raised his hand again and cupped Esmeralda's chin. She inhaled sharply at his touch and swallowed.

"You can't do that."

Elijah raised an eyebrow. "Do what?"

"Charm me, flirt. Be intimate. I'm seeing somebody."

"If memory serves me right, you were married the last time I saw you."

"That was different. I was young and stupid. I didn't know any better."

"Very well." Elijah withdrew his hand. "Now, the moonstone?"

"Why do you need it so badly?"

"If I'm going to help protect your daughter in any shape or form, I need it. Don't you want to keep her safe?"

Esmeralda paused for a long moment. "... Are you trying to use Elowen in your favor?"

"Is it working?"

Another few moments passed as Esmeralda stared at Elijah. Finally, she gave in and sighed.

"Fine."

She opened the front door and stopped when she set foot back in the house. She turned back around.

"You can come in."

Elijah stepped in behind her and closed the front door. Esmeralda was already heading upstairs towards Elowen's room, where she knew she was keeping the moonstone. A few minutes passed before she started back down. She stopped in front of Elijah and handed out the stone. He extended his hand to grab it, but she drew back last second.

"Don't make me regret giving this to you."

"You won't."

"Promise?"

"You have my word."

Esmeralda set the moonstone in the palm of his hand. Elijah bowed his head once more.

"Thank you. I shall take my leave now."

Eliana came downstairs in a bathrobe, yawning, as the front door closed with a soft click.

"Who was that?"

"Nobody," Esmeralda said shortly. "Who wants breakfast?"

xxxx

"So, John Gilbert gave me this to kill Elijah," Damon was telling Alaric. He'd led him into the parlor and was unrolling the dagger from its cloth. "Said you have to dip the dagger in the remains of an old white ash tree that dates back to the Originals, if there's any truth in that."

He handed the dagger over to Alaric.

"So, you think it's a setup?" Alaric asked.

"It could be. Guy's a weasel. Wouldn't put anything past him." Damon turned around and walked over to the bar to pour himself a drink. "What are you up to today, Mr. Saltzman?"

"Well, Esmeralda and I were supposed to go on a date, but somehow, we both got roped into doing this Historical Society thing at the Lockwood's."

"Where Elijah's the guest of honor."

"Tell me you're not gonna kill him at the tea party."

"No. That would be stupid."

Alaric raised his eyebrows and shot Damon a skeptical look. Damon sighed dramatically.

"I want to know his endgame before I kill him, but I do think it's time Elijah and I officially met."

Damon tapped Alaric with the dagger with a mocking smile on his face. Alaric looked at him, clearly not amused.

xxxx

Bonnie, Caroline and Josiah were all sitting at a table in The Grill.

"Okay, so, tell me about this big, witchy plan you've been cooking," Caroline told Bonnie.

"We still don't know the extent of what Elijah's up to," Bonnie started to explain.

"No, we don't."

"So, I'm gonna ask Luka to tell me what he knows."

"And he's not gonna tell you anything."

"She never said he was gonna have a choice," Josiah pointed out. "She's been asking me to help her with this. It's a good plan. Not full proof, but it's all we've got."

Caroline smirked. "I think I'm liking this plan."

"Good, because we could use all the help we can get."

After they were done talking, Josiah had gone to the bathroom while Caroline waited for him near the entrance.

"Caroline."

She turned and saw Tyler approaching her. She bristled and started to walk the other way.

"You stay away from me."

"It's important."

Tyler reached out for her arm, but caught her purse instead. It fell to the floor and all of the contents spilled out onto the floor. They both knelt down to pick everything up.

"Just stop it, Tyler, okay? You just… you're just making it worse."

Tyler picked up Caroline's phone and swiftly slipped it into his back pocket without her noticing. "Please, Caroline. I'm sorry about what happened-"

Suddenly, Tyler was pulled back onto his feet. Josiah had come out of the bathroom and saw Tyler talking with Caroline and felt himself get angry. Josiah was holding him by the front of his shirt.

"You don't get to talk to her anymore. Leave."

"Josiah…" Caroline stood up after making sure everything was back in her bag and had placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let him go. He's not worth it."

After a few seconds of staring him down, Josiah pushed Tyler away roughly. "Stay away from us, alright?"

"Come on." Caroline grabbed onto Josiah's hand and led him out of The Grill. It took everything in Josiah to not punch Tyler in the face (again), but left with Caroline nonetheless.

Tyler stood there and watched them go.

xxxx

"Ready for an awkward romantic weekend?" Elowen asked jokingly. They were at Elena's house picking her up. Stefan, Elowen and Toby's things were already in Elowen's car. Elena had agreed almost immediately, citing wanting to get away from John as her reason. Toby said yes once he learned Elena was going. Piece of cake.

Elena laughed. "Awkward because it's a double date?"

"Awkward because Toby and I used to date, you two barely know each other and you and I aren't really friends yet."

"Well, when you put it that way…" Elena trailed off. "Let's just go before John shows up and pretends to be a concerned father."

Stefan and Toby came through the front door to start taking Elena's things when her phone chimed with a notification. They all looked back at her as she started typing out a reply.

"Please tell me there's nothing wrong," Stefan spoke, but Elena shook her head as she finished texting.

"Nothing's wrong. Just Caroline. Come on, let's go."

They all headed out the door with Elena's bags and closed it behind them.

xxxx

Elowen pulled up to the lake house Elena's parents owned. She was thankful Elena agreed like she'd hoped, because otherwise, she had no idea where her and Stefan would've gone. Elena sighed deeply from the backseat, drawing attention to herself.

"You alright?" Toby asked from beside her.

"I'm good," she replied. "I just haven't been back here since before…"

Picking up on the hint, Elowen widened her eyes and twisted around in her seat to face Elena. "Oh my god. I had no idea. Look, just say the word, okay? We'll get back on the highway and we'll go anywhere else."

Elena smiled and shook her head. "I've always loved it here. I want it to stay that way. I was just… having a moment."

"Okay."

Toby carefully took hold of her hand and squeezed it. He helped her out of the car as Elowen and Stefan exited as well. Elena went on ahead to unlock the house and walked in. She looked around nostalgically. Elowen and Toby walked in behind her. Stefan stopped at the front door.

"You don't have to wait out there," Elena commented when she turned around and saw Stefan. "I'm all good."

"Oh, that's great, because I'm uh… I'm stuck."

Elowen, Toby and Elena all shared a look.

"Oh my god, you can't get in," Elena realized.

"Not gonna be a very awkward romantic weekend unless you, uh, invite me inside."

"Stefan, I can't."

Elowen looked at Elena in alarm.

"What?" Both Elowen and Stefan asked at the same time.

"My parents left this place to John Gilbert. He's the only one who can invite you in. I'm sorry. I completely forgot."

"You're… You're joking, right?" Elowen asked. Elena looked at her helplessly and shook her head. They sat in silence for a minute before she started laughing.

"I'm kidding. Stefan Salvatore, I hereby invite you into this home."

Elowen breathed a sigh of relief as Stefan stepped into the house.

"That wasn't funny, Elena," Elowen said, unamused.

"Come on, it was kind of funny. Right?" Elena turned to Toby for backup, who threw his hands up.

"I'm not siding with either of you. It's supposed to be awkward, remember?"

"It would be even more awkward if you sided with someone," Stefan pointed out, coming to stand behind Elowen. Both her and Elena stared at him expectantly. He laughed nervously from the sudden pressure he felt.

"Is it hot in here or is that just me?"

Neither Elowen or Elena let up. Toby looked to Stefan for help, who smirked at him in response. Finally, Toby groaned and gestured to Elowen.

"She's right. It wasn't that funny."

Elowen smiled in triumph while Elena pouted.

"Of course you'd side with her!"

"I'm siding with her because the joke was poorly executed. The whole weekend would've been ruined if Stefan couldn't get in the house and for a second there everyone thought it was game over." Toby patted Elena's shoulder. "Don't worry. There'll be a next time. Let's just get everything in the house."

xxxx

Damon entered the Lockwood Mansion in search of Elijah. He spotted him talking to Carol and started to make his way over. However, the woman from the night before, Andie, intercepted him.

"I didn't know you'd be here. I'm Andie, remember?"

Damon shot her an agitated look and hoped she'd get the hint and walk away. She didn't. He watched Elijah from his spot and forced himself to respond.

"I remember. Sorry, I'm sort of preoccupied. If you'll excuse me…"

He tried stepping around her, but she moved in front of him.

"I know it might've been a bit forward of me, but I asked Jenna to give you my number. Did you get it?"

"I did."

He tried leaving again, but she just couldn't seem to pick up on his social cues and stopped him again. Damon was beyond irritated now. He was trying to be nice, but he wasn't sure how much more he could take.

"I'm sorry if I seem like I'm-"

"Trying way too hard?" Damon cut off. Andie blinked in surprise.

"I was going to say coming off strong."

"Look, Andie, you seem like a nice woman, but I have a girlfriend. I thought I made it clear I wasn't interested, but apparently you don't pick up on this stuff very well. That, or you were refusing to acknowledge them."

Andie looked both hurt and offended, but before she could say anything, Damon placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Please go bother somebody else," he compelled her. Andie walked off without another word. Sighing in relief, Damon continued his way towards Elijah and Carol. He came to stop right in front of them.

"Damon!" Carol smiled at the sight of him. Damon smiled back.

"Carol."

"What a surprise!"

Carol leaned forward and exchanged kisses on the cheek with Damon. She turned to Elijah.

"Elijah, I want you to meet Damon Salvatore. His family is one of Mystic Falls' founding families."

"Mm-hm," Damon hummed. "Such a pleasure to meet you."

"No," Elijah replied. "Pleasure's all mine."

xxxx

Bonnie approached Luka at the pool table in The Grill. She was holding two coffees in her hands.

"I come bearing coffee gifts." She handed one over to Luka, who accepted it.

"So, you're talking to me now?"

Bonnie shrugged. "I found out what your dad did, helping Elowen save the rest of my friends from the wolf pack. I also heard she just about broke your door down."

Luka and Bonnie shared a laugh.

"Well, had I known that's all it took…"

On the other side of The Grill, Caroline and Josiah were sitting across from each other, watching Bonnie and Luka. Jeremy walked in, spotted them and made his way over.

"Hey. How's it going?"

Caroline looked up at him in confusion.

"What are you doing here?"

"Bonnie called. I wanted to help. How's it going?" He asked again.

"She's selling it and he's buying it," Josiah told him. Caroline smirked.

"She's giving him the sex smile."

"Alright, Caroline," Jeremy said with some annoyance. "I get it."

Both Caroline and Josiah picked up on his jealous tone and shared knowing smiles. Either Jeremy didn't notice or he just pretended to not see them silently communicating.

"What do you say?" Luka questioned. He gestured to the pool table. "You want to play a game?"

Bonnie nodded. "Yeah."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

Luka stepped away to try and start the game, but he stumbled and wobbled around. He placed his hands onto the pool table to try and steady himself.

"What's happening to me?"

Luka fell over and Bonnie quickly grabbed his shoulders to keep him upright. Josiah, Jeremy and Caroline took this as their cue and stood up.

"We got him," Josiah said as him and Jeremy took hold of Luka. "We got him."

"What kind of witch roofie was that?" Jeremy asked as him and Josiah led Luka out of the building.

"A strong one," Bonnie replied with a smile. "Let's just get him out of here before someone notices."

xxxx

Elena was standing outside on the dock with a large blanket wrapped around her. She was staring out at the water. Toby carefully approached her as to not startle her.

"Having another moment?"

Without glancing back at him, she nodded.

"Jeremy broke his arm diving off this dock when he was 6. My dad taught me how to fish right off the edge over there. So many memories."

Toby came to stop just next to her.

"If I'm not being too forward, I'd really like to create some new memories with you. Together."

Elena smiled and finally looked at Toby. "I'd like that."

Toby smiled back. "Well, then, this is where your future boyfriend told you you're beautiful." He leaned over towards her ear and dropped his voice down to a whisper. "You're beautiful."

Elena laughed a little. "Future boyfriend, huh?"

Toby nodded confidently. "Yeah. If we ever get to that first date we were supposed to have. What do you say? Should we try again?"

Elena hesitated. Then, she glanced back at Elowen and Stefan, who were sitting just outside of the cabin. Toby tilted his head and followed her line of sight.

"What? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's just…"

"Just what?"

"Don't you think it might make your friendship with Elowen weird? I mean, yeah, you two used to date, but her and I… we're on rocky ground."

Toby laughed out loud. Elena looked at him quizzically.

"What? What's so funny? I feel like I'm missing the joke here."

"You mean it hasn't crossed your mind yet?"

Elena furrowed her eyebrows. "What hasn't crossed my mind yet?"

"Why we're here. Elowen and Stefan could've made a lover's escape this weekend and came here by themselves, yet they invited us. Why do you think that is?"

Elena continued to look at him confusedly. Toby sighed.

"Elowen's playing matchmaker. She knows that I like you and she's been scheming to put us in a room together alone this whole time. You haven't noticed?"

"... Well, she did ask me what I thought of you, but I just thought that she was maybe… I don't know." Elena shrugged. "You're sure it won't make things strange at all?"

"If Miss Know-It-All doesn't think so, I think we'll be fine. So, how about that date?"

Elowen was watching Toby and Elena carefully from her spot next to Stefan. She nudged him with her shoulder.

"What are they talking about?"

Stefan chuckled. "Making memories together."

"Aww, that's so sweet!" She paused. Stefan looked over at her when she didn't say anything else and saw she had her thinking face on. He patiently waited for her to speak.

"... Do you ever think about us, what our future will be like, our memories?" She asked at last. Stefan sighed and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"I think there are a lot of conversations to be had about our future, about the kind of life we could have together."

Elowen crinkled her eyebrows together as she thought over her next words. "I want to make one thing clear. I don't want to be a vampire."

She was still looking ahead while Stefan was staring directly at her. He brushed some of her hair behind her ear and studied her face for a moment.

"I know," he said softly. "Being a witch means a lot to you. It's your heritage. I'd hate for you to give all of that up just for me and Damon."

Elowen played around with her fingers and still refused to look at Stefan. She wasn't sure she could say this directly to his face.

"And… I want kids. A daughter. Evelyn."

Stefan smiled. "I've always wanted a daughter. Does it have to be an E name, though?"

Elowen shrugged. "It's a family tradition. All girl names start with E and boy names start with J. That's how it's always been."

"Traditions can be broken, can't they?"

She tilted her head and finally turned her eyes onto Stefan. "I mean, I guess so. Why?"

"It's just… I've liked the name Claire for decades. I used to imagine having a daughter with that name. I guess I stopped because I figured it would never happen."

Elowen contemplated this for a moment. "Claire," she repeated, trying the name out. "I like it. Although, I guess we can't really discuss baby names without Damon, can we?"

Stefan laughed. "I'm not too sure Damon wants to have children, if I'm being honest."

"I dunno. I think he might be open to the idea."

"Emphasis on the 'might'."

Elowen playfully rolled her eyes. She looked back out at the water and watched Elena and Toby talk to each other. She felt Stefan draw her in closer with the arm that was still around her shoulder.

"Y'know, this will all be a memory someday. Sitting outside a cabin on the lake with your boyfriend, discussing your future together. The best moment of all, however, is when he told you that he loves you." Stefan hovered his mouth over her ear and lowered his voice. "I love you."

Elowen smiled and turned her head back towards Stefan. She leaned over and kissed him.

"I love you, too."

xxxx

Damon opened the door to Richard's study and gestured for Elijah to go in. He did as he was told and entered the room. Damon followed and closed the door behind him.

"What can I do for you, Damon?" Elijah asked.

"I was hoping we could have a word."

"Where's Elowen and the doppelganger?"

"Safe with Stefan and Elowen's pet werewolf Toby. Speaking of werewolves, that's the reason they're laying low. There's a bit of an infestation problem."

"Oh, yes, I heard about that."

"I'm sure you did since it was your witch who helped saved the day."

"You're welcome, by the way."

Damon wandered over and leaned against the desk in the room. He crossed his arms and stared at Elijah.

"Which adds to my confusion on exactly why you're here."

"Why don't you just stay focused on keeping Elowen and the doppelganger safe and leave the rest to me."

Elijah moved to exit the room, but Damon sped in front of him and blocked his way.

"Not good enough."

Before Damon could react, Elijah grabbed him by the throat and slammed him into the nearby wall. Damon tried to grab at Elijah's neck, but he easily pried his hand off and continued to hold him against the wall.

"You young vampires, so arrogant. How dare you come in here and challenge me?"

"You can't kill me, man," Damon wheezed out. "It's not part of the deal."

"Silence."

Without any hesitation, Elijah took hold of a lone pencil lying on the desk and stabbed Damon in the neck with it. Damon yelped in pain and fell against the desk when Elijah finally let him go. He ripped the pencil out and tossed it on the ground. Elijah pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the blood off of his hands.

"I'm an Original. Show a little respect."

Elijah dangled the handkerchief in front of Damon, who took it and held it against the wound on his throat.

"The moment you cease to be of use to me, you're dead, so you should do what I say. Keep Elowen and the doppelganger safe."

Elijah turned and left the room, leaving Damon by himself.

xxxx

Author's Note: okay so i really, really would like to hear y'alls thoughts about this chapter, specifically the elena/toby pairing and the hinting that something went down between elijah and esmeralda in the past. i was really proud of this one when i finished writing it so i wanna hear some feedback c: