Ok guys, this is it. The sacrifice is here! Also! This is IMPORTANT! I'm so sorry that some of you have noticed that instead of "Alissa," you have seen "Sarah." Originally, that was the character's name, and I guess I missed a few. In the future I will try to fix that.

Season 2 Episode 21 The Sun Also Rises

I trudged through the woods with Klaus a feeling of dread coming over me. The regret nipped at my gut and I swallowed back the bile that rose to my throat. I was about to get what I came for. I was about to find Elena alright, and either that meant that I was going to die trying to save her, or I just might pull this off that I could save us both. Looking at Klaus now, I didn't see the latter being an option.

"There is nothing I can say to you to change your mind is there?" I asked him, half serious and half hopeful. Klaus chuckled, taking my hand to help me over a large root. As much as I wanted to do everything myself, to defy him in any way possible, I had to play nice. If Klaus believed I had no ill intentions against him, he wouldn't expect anything if and when I was to strike.

"I've spent thousands of years waiting for this day." Klaus said happily, then he sighed in relief. "I'm ready."

"But why is breaking this curse so important to you?" I asked, thinking back to what Elijah said. "Is it the strength? Cause you are already pretty strong if I'm not mistaken."

"I am the strongest." Klaus said, looking back to me with an amused smile. "But it's all about power my dear, Lissa."

I paused, staring at the back of his head for a second. He must have heard me slow, because he turned to me with a confused glace. I didn't want to feel bad for him, I wanted to hate him. I wanted to feel so much anger toward him, and I just couldn't bring myself to do so. I took a deep breath before I gave him a sympathetic smile.

"You called me Lissa." I said. Klaus seemed to tense at the name before he looked away from me. "What happened to her?"

"She died." Klaus replied bitterly. As much as I was trying to get into Klaus' head, I also felt a bit sorry for him. If it was true that I was a reincarnate of Alissa that meant I held some loyalty to the people she cared about. Klaus was her brother, her twin. They shared a bond no one else could understand, best friends from the womb. That meant I shared a closeness to Klaus, regardless of if I wanted to or not.

"I know that." I said, urging him on. "But… how?"

Klaus didn't turn around to look at me. He stood still, his shoulders tense and hands balled into fists. I licked my lips in anticipation. I wanted to know what was so bad that Klaus did to have to deserve the exact clone of his deceased sister to come back and do whatever she can to protect the one person he needs to kill. Whether it was poetic or a punishment I didn't know.

"That is a discussion for another time." Klaus said, taking my hand once more and pulling me forward. "Come. We are almost there."

I dropped the subject, following his lead as we broke through the trees into a small clearing. I saw Elena first, a ring of fire surrounding her, preventing her from moving. I felt my gut wrench. I couldn't get to her, nor could she run. Klaus had thought this through thoroughly. She looked up when we broke through the tree line and she seemed surprised to see me. I gave her a reassuring smile and a nod. I was going to get her out of here, whether that meant I got out of here or not.

"Hello, my lovelies." Klaus said, hand still gripping my arm. "Are we ready?"

It was then that I looked to the other rings of fire. Jules lay in one of them, curled up, crying and writhing in pain. It was a full moon, she must have been transitioning. I winced when she let out a cry. I felt a bit sad at the thought of her dying, but only a little. She did shoot me in the leg.

When my eyes drifted to the other one I was a bit shocked. Even more dread and regret washed over me, followed by a feeling of betrayal. I turned to Klaus quickly, who was staring at the scene before him with a smile.

"Jenna?" I barked, referring to the strawberry blonde sitting in a ring of fire. "You weren't supposed to take Jenna!"

"You did say anyone, love." Klaus said, his voice both wicked and masochistic. I felt my stomach lurch. I looked back to Jenna who was staring at me, fear in her eyes. Why would he pick Jenna? She had nothing to do with this. I felt that it was just his way of being an even bigger ass. He gripped my arm tighter, pulling me closer to his side.

"Let me go." I ordered, trying to get out of his grip. He didn't release me as he drug me to a nearby tree. He tossed me lightly to the ground, pushing me up to the bark by my neck. I then saw his witch, Dr. Martin's daughter, chant a few words and I couldn't move. I tried to fight it as Klaus tied me to the tree, but with the spell and his strength I was no match for them.

"There we go." Klaus said. "Comfortable?"

"What are you doing?" I asked him, Greta's spell wearing off. I tried to fight the ropes but they were too tight.

"Wouldn't want you getting in my way." Klaus said. "Forgive me if I do not wish to kill my sister twice."

"I'm not Alissa." I cried to him. "I'm not."

Klaus narrowed his eyes at me before he patted my head and walked away. I fought the ropes, thinking that the more I fought, the looser they would become. Elena was the closest to me, and I looked over to her. She was watching Jenna, who was sitting with her knees up to her chest.

"Elena." I croaked. She looked over to me. "I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault Alex." She said sorrowfully. I felt my heart ache at the sight of her. If we didn't figure out something, Jenna was going to die. Elena would have to watch her care giver and aunt die. I didn't want her to have to do that. I didn't want to see it either. I fought harder on my bounds.

Damon was pouring himself a drink, his hands shaky. He guessed it was from the infection of the werewolf bite crawling through his veins. He looked down at his arm and saw that the bite has already gotten worse. Unless they figured something out, Damon was going to die.

But how bad would death be? He would no longer be in Stefan's hair, his brother could finally be happy without Damon interfering. Alex could move on, learn to love someone else, someone who deserved it. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if he died.

A sudden knock to the door made Damon jump. He sighed, going toward the door. He surprised himself when he stumbled a bit. His coordination was being thrown off. Stupid bite. He composed himself and went to the door. When he opened it, there stood John.

"Great. I was just thinking about getting a bite to eat." Damon mused. John ignored him, coming inside the house without permission.

"Elena hasn't returned any of my calls for days." John said. "I need to see her."

"Well, you're a day late and two daughter's short, John." Damon said. John furrowed his brows.

"What do you mean?" John asked. The concern was evident in his voice and although Damon hated to admit it, the guy did care for his daughters.

"Klaus has them." Damon replied. "The sacrifice goes down tonight."

"How could you let that happen? You were supposed to keep them safe." John said. "Wasn't that the sum total of your plan; to keep them safe?"

"Alex is fine. Klaus doesn't want to hurt her." Damon explained, as if he was trying to tell himself the same thing. "And Elena drank that elixir Elijah gave her."

"You do understand that the elixir might not work and that Alex is destined to die for Elena right?" John asked, outraged. He made to grab for Damon, but Damon got him first. He shoved him against the wall.

"I wouldn't mess with me right now." Damon warned. John glared at him.

"My daughters are going to die!" John said, shoving against Damon. "I wouldn't mess with me."

Damon shoved against John before walking away. John didn't scare him, especially not now that he was dying. If he knew how to save both of them, he would do something. But Elena had a chance of coming back. Alex did not.

"Where is Alex?"

Both Damon and John looked to the front door to see Jace, who had twigs and dirt all over him. He was out of breath and by the looks of it he had ran there. Jace looked to Damon, concern in his eyes.

"Where is she?" He asked again, panicked.

"She's with Klaus." Damon replied. Jace's eyes widened.

"She what?" Jace asked. Damon nodded. "Well, where are they?"

"If I knew that do you think I would be here?" Damon barked. "What happened to you keeping her busy?"

"She figured out I was lying." Jace replied. "She took my truck and ran off."

Damon couldn't fight the small smile that formed on his lips. The thought of Alex leaving Jace alone in the woods was a funny sight to him.

"We have to get her back." Jace said. Damon narrowed his eyes a bit at Jace's determination, to save his girlfriend. But his heart sank when he remembered that they were no longer together. He thought about his bite and vowed that he would make things right with her before he died. He just had to.

"We will." John said. "Come on. We have to find Bonnie."

I continued to thrash against my ropes, and I could feel myself becoming tired. But I couldn't stop. I had to keep fighting against them or I would never get free and I would never be able to save Elena and Jenna.

"It's no use love." Klaus said to me. But I didn't stop to which he said something about how stubborn Alissia was.

"Alex…" Elena said. I looked up at her, stilling for only a moment. "Don't hurt yourself."

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you." I told her, continuing to fight against the rope. Elena gave me a sad smile before she looked away from me. I pushed my chest forward in an attempt to loosen them a bit. I could feel them loosen the tiniest bit and I could move my arms better. I smiled triumphantly.

"I've got the moonstone. I spent 500 years looking for this." Klaus said. "I hate to part with it."

He handed the moonstone to Greta who took it gingerly. She then looked up to the moon. I looked up as well. The moon was large and bright.

"The moon has passed its apex." Greta said. "Remember everything you need to do?"

"I remember." Klaus said, turning toward the three surrounded by fire. I watched Greta put the moonstone into a bowl of flames, letting it be destroyed. Klaus moved dangerously toward Jules.

"Everything I did... I was just trying to help Tyler." Jules said. I looked over to her and she was staring at me. "Alex… I'm sorry."

I didn't speak. I just nodded. She cried out in pain, her transition not been completed because of Greta's spell. Klaus stalked toward her, the flames dying down. When the ring of fire was down, Jules eyes turned a golden yellow and she sped toward Klaus to attack. But Klaus was quicker and knocked her down without a sweat, plunging his hand into her chest. He smiled wickedly before he tore her heart from her chest, killing her.

"No." I whispered. As much disdain I held for the she wolf, I didn't want her to die. She had tried to help Tyler, she made sure he wasn't alone. How could I hate a woman who would do that for someone? Now she was dead, and I wondered how Tyler would fare once he found out.

Jenna, Elena and I shared a horrified look as Klaus dropped Jules heart into the flames where Greta had put the moonstone. He was smiling still, which made my skin crawl. How could someone be so happy when killing someone? Regardless of the connection between us, I held no regard for Klaus after what he had done, what he was doing.

I wished then that Damon was here. I wanted him to swoop in and save me like he always did. I felt my heart skip a beat when I thought about him. Even after everything that had happened, I still loved him. The thought of him made my heart swell and when I remembered the feel of his lips against mine… I didn't want to believe that it was really over.

I didn't know what Klaus would do with me after this. I didn't know if he would release me or take me with him, but I just knew I had to see Damon. Even if it was just a glace, I had to see him. One last look and I could forget, and leave all of this behind. I just had to see him one last time.

"Damon…. Where are you?"

"He did what?!"

Damon had arrived to the witch burial ground mere minutes ago, John and Jace in tow. He was then taken upstairs by Alaric, who seemed very concerned. Damon guessed it was because instead of Damon, Klaus opted to take Jenna as his vampire sacrifice. If he hadn't had the werewolf bite then Klaus would have taken him and all of this wouldn't be an issue.

"He wasn't going to let Jenna die." Alaric explained. Damon huffed. His brother, his noble brother who always did the right thing, was now giving himself over to Klaus as a replacement. It made sense when Damon wanted to do it, because Damon wasn't doing anyone any good being alive. All he did was cause everyone problems. But as much as he tried to die, it was Stefan that was going to take the fall.

"Hey, are you okay?" Alaric asked. Damon shook his head. He was still shaky from the bite and his head ache hadn't subsided. He wondered how long until the pain and the hallucinations would start.

"That's my brother for you." Damon said, turning toward the door. "Always cleaning up my messes."

He stomped out of the house, needing time to think of a plan.

Jace on the other hand was looking through the Gilbert journals with John, Jeremy, and Bonnie. They knew where they were, they were at the quarry. Jace had to be stopped when he heard the location of his best friends. He didn't care how much Klaus said he wasn't interested in killing Alex he didn't want her anywhere near him.

"Do you really think there is something in here that might save Alex?" Jace asked, looking through an old journal that looked like it could fall apart at any minute. John looked up from his equally as tattered journal to look at Jace.

"It can't hurt to try." John said. His eyes scanned the page fervently. Jace watched him closely, studying his body language. He was tense and by the look in his expression he was worried. Jace couldn't blame him, both of his daughters were with a psychopathic hybrid.

"You really do care about them don't you?" Jace concluded. John looked up from the journal again. Jace had had minimal contact with Alex's father, and although she was the exact copy of someone from another family, he could still see the resemblance in body language and mannerisms. When Alex furrowed her brows, she got this little crease in between her eyes. John had the same crease. Alex was very determined and she did everything she could to save the ones she loved. John was doing the same. To say that Alex is just a knock off of this other girl was wrong. Alex was her own person, she had her own beliefs, her own morals. Alex was Alex. She was not Alissa.

"I've messed up... a lot." John said, meeting Jace's gaze. "Saving them… it's the least I could do."

Jace nodded, looking back down to the journal.

Klaus and Greta were still standing at the bowl where Klaus had dripped Jules's blood into along with the moonstone. I tried to move my arm to I could try and pull the rope over my head, but I hadn't had much luck.

Elena had been trying to calm down Jenna, the two telling each other goodbye even without saying it. I wanted so bad to stop this, to save Jenna and be rid of Klaus. But I was useless. Even if I got free, my stake wouldn't kill Klaus. It would only make him angrier. I had to figure out something, or Jenna was going to die.

"Hello Jenna." Klaus said, turning toward us. We stared at him, that evil smile on his face as he approached. I felt my heart break.

"Let her go." Elena pleaded. "I understand that I have to die, but she doesn't!"

She neared the ring of flames and they sparked, forcing her to retreat. I felt my guardian instincts spark and I moved against the ropes.

"Careful." Klaus warned. I didn't see any change in him, not even after Elena's pleas. It made my blood boil.

"Elena don't." Jenna said. I could see now that Jenna was ready for this. She was prepared for the inevitable, and the thought broke me. Someone so kind and gentle as Jenna… she didn't deserve this. Klaus was only doing this to hurt people, to hurt Elena. He was all about the dramatics, and using Jenna as his vampire was the way to do it.

"No, Jenna! We can't leave Jeremy without a family." Elena said to Jenna. She then turned to Klaus. "I followed your rules; I did everything that you asked. I didn't run. Please!"

Klaus seemed to laugh at her. Elena had no power over Klaus. Her tears and her pleas would only fuel the fire and make Klaus want to do this even more. But me… I had a smidge of connection to him. I didn't know how much my words would affect him, but I had to try.

"Klaus." I said, trying to keep my voice even. "Klaus… please."

Klaus' gaze flickered to me, eyes emotionless as stone. I licked my lips, making myself swallow. I had to appeal to the part of him that still held his sister in high regard. I had to be Alissa.

"Please… Jenna has nothing to do with this." I said. Klaus' eyes narrowed. "Just let her go."

"I can't do that." Klaus said a bit sadly if I might add, but then he turned scary again. "Do not ask me again."

The way he said it, as if he was warning me not to beg him again, made me shut up. I may have looked like Alissa, I may have acted like Alissa, and if Elijah was right, I was Alissa, but that didn't mean anything when it came to Klaus breaking this curse. According to Elijah, I was supposed to be a tool to deter Klaus from breaking the curse. My instinct to fight Klaus and save Elena was strong now that the threat was looming over us. I was supposed to save Elena, fight off Klaus, but I knew I couldn't win. Even with my training, I couldn't survive if I were to fight Klaus. I didn't believe he would show me any mercy anyway. Even if I looked like his sister, breaking the curse was what Klaus really wanted.

"Well, well." Klaus said suddenly. "I don't recall you being on the guest list."

He looked up to the top of the hill, eyes an angry blue. I followed his gaze to the edge of the cliff where a figure stood. Upon closer realization, I found it to be Stefan. I felt a bit of relief wash over me when I saw him. Stefan had to have a plan. He wouldn't come if he didn't. Like me, he had every intention of getting both Jenna and Elena out of this. Whether I was included in that I wasn't sure.

In a flash Klaus had sped up the hill and was standing next to Stefan. I could see them talking, but we were much too far away for me to hear them.

"What's going on?" Jenna asked, voicing my thoughts.

"I-I don't know." Elena said, then turned to her aunt. "You can hear them. You can hear anything. Jus-Just focus on them."

Jenna seemed to be confused by Elena's words, but she did close her eyes. Her forehead wrinkled as she tried to focus on the voices up on the hill. After about a minute she opened her eyes and breathed.

"I can't-I can't make it out." Jenna said defeated. Elena crouched down so she was at eye level with Jenna.

"You can do this." Elena encouraged. "Just relax. Focus."

Jenna nodded, again focusing on the two vampires who stood on the ridge. I looked back up to them, not able to see their expressions. I was glad that Klaus hadn't done anything rash, like killing Stefan or something along those lines. I didn't put it past him. We were supposed to play by Klaus' rules, and Stefan coming into the party was not one of them.

"Oh, my god." Jenna said suddenly, eyes popping open. Both Elena and I looked to her to see her horrified eyes having glistening tears in them.

"What is it?" Elena asked impatiently when Jenna didn't speak. Jenna stared up at the hill for a second before she met Elena's gaze. She seemed to look a bit sorry before she closed her mouth.

"He wants to take my place." Jenna said. I felt my stomach fall. That was not what I had in mind when Stefan came to the rescue. I expected some kind of magical spell that would kill Klaus and then we would all be free. I didn't expect to see Stefan die.

"No." Elena wept. My eyes shifted over to her, seeing her eyes brim with tears. She started to pace around the ring, hands tugging at her hair and words of nonsense coming out of her mouth.

"Elena-"

"I have to do something." Elena said frantically. "This can't happen. None of it."

"Elena you need to calm down." I said, trying to soothe her. She looked at me, eyes firey with worry and sudden anger. I flinched a bit.

"I can't calm down!" She yelled. "This is all my fault."

She let out a sob and I wanted nothing more than to run and comfort her. How do you choose between your only living guardian and your boyfriend who you are in love with?

"Quite the predicament." Klaus said when he came down the hill with Stefan. "You know, it's funny, all this talk about preserving family, and here's Stefan, granting your wish."

"Stefan…" Elena said, not having anything else to voice her sadness. Stefan stood there, strong and sturdy as ever, but seeing Elena his stone wall cracked.

"It's ok." Stefan said. Elena shook her head, because this wasn't ok. What Klaus was doing was not ok. Making Elena watch her loved ones die was sick and cruel, and I could hardly bare it.

"Well." Klaus said. "Who's it going to be Elena?"

Elena stood there, mouth agape. I felt angry tears fall from my eyes.

"You're a monster!" I yelled at Klaus, catching his attention. "How can you be so cruel?"

"Uh, vampire my love." Klaus said, as if the answer was obvious. I shook my head, my tears cascading down my cheeks. I didn't know why I had such an emotional reaction. I should have expected this from Klaus, I had heard what he was capable of, I had seen it. But it didn't prepare me for the true evil that resided in his heart.

"No… being a vampire doesn't make you evil." I said, eyeing Stefan. He was a good vampire. So was Damon. Despite what he had done, I had seen the good in Damon. I had loved a vampire. I still did.

"Being a vampire doesn't make you evil." I repeated, looking at Klaus. "It's in your heart where the evil lies."

Klaus glared at me, but not in anger. It looked like my words actually wounded him. It was as if, seeing this hatred I held for him was hurting him. I guessed it was because in a twisted way I was bonded to him and to hear that I was telling him how evil he was made him think of Alissa. Elijah said they were attached at the hip when she had been alive, Klaus probably wouldn't like hearing this coming from her.

"Maybe so." Klaus said, glaring from me to Elena. He then sped before our eyes over to Stefan, staking him in the back. He yelled out in pain and I watched wide eyed as my friend fell to the ground.

"No! Stefan! No!" Elena cried. Klaus broke off a piece of the stake, leaving a sizeable amount of wood in Stefan's back, but not making it easy for him to remove it. Klaus tossed the splintered end of the stake toward me. It was bloody and sharp, and when I looked up to Klaus he smirked. Klaus was still Klaus at the end of the day. It didn't matter how much I tried to plead or hurt him. He only thought of himself.

"I have other plans for your boyfriend. I want him alive." Klaus said. He then turned to Greta. "Whenever you're ready, Greta."

Greta begins to chant a spell, making the fire around Jenna fall. Jenna stood there, looking between Klaus and Elena. He held out his hand for her.

"Your turn." He said. Jenna stared at his hand.

"No Jenna!" Elena wailed. The redhead looked to Elena with a sorrowful look.

"It's alright, Elena." Jenna said. "I know what I have to do."

There was a beat of silence before Jenna used her newfound vampire speed to run to Greta. In an instant her teeth sunk into the witch's neck, stopping her spell. I felt a rush of relief wash through me, but the feeling was short lived when Klaus used his own speed to catch up with her. He staked her in the back.

"Jenna!" Elena and I screamed, as if yelling her name would save her. She met Elena's gaze, eyes full of pain and worry. I felt more tears run from my eyes down my cheeks. Jenna didn't deserve this. She shouldn't have been involved. Jenna was innocent.

"Just turn it off. Jenna. Turn it off." Elena said, tearfully. "You won't be scared anymore."

Jenna nodded, and although it wasn't obvious, I knew then that Jenna had turned off her emotions. As Klaus raised the stake above her heart, she looked less afraid and when he plunged the wooden stake into her heart, she didn't cry.

But Elena did, oh did Elena cry. She wailed, as if someone had just shot her in the gut. I had to close my eyes so I didn't see her sobbing on the ground. If I did then I would try to go to her, and I couldn't make it over there. I was still useless, tied to the tree and completely useless. Stefan lay motionless on the ground and I was glad that he couldn't hear Elena's cries. They were like torture to me.

When Stefan did awaken, his eyes shot open and he took in a big deep breath. I assumed he thought that he was dead, and to see that he was really alive must have been a shock to him. He looked to me and then to Elena. She had quieted by now, but she sat on the ground make up running down her face and a blank look in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry." Stefan said to Elena. She said nothing, just shushed him. He quieted waiting for her to speak to him. Elena blinked a few times.

"Are they going to kill him?" She whispered, so quietly it was almost as if she didn't speak at all. Stefan nodded and Elena seemed to be relieved at that. However, I was not. As Klaus stood with his back to us, watching Greta preform her spell with Jenna's blood, I could feel my anxiety peak. I knew that Elena was next, and I didn't know for sure if it was my guardian duty or because she was my friend that made me fight against the bounds even more.

It was then that I noticed the stake, the broken piece that lay before me. I looked up to Klaus, his back still to me before an idea came to mind. I had to shift a bit for my foot to be able to reach it. It took a bit of doing, but I kicked the stake closer to me. I stretched my arm out as far as it could go and felt my fingers brush the splintered wood. I smirked wickedly.

"It's time." Klaus said, turning around. His eyes were on Elena, and the brunette stood up. I gripped the sharp wood, doing my best to hide that I had the object in my possession. I started moving it up and down on the rope.

The circle of fire disappeared around Elena, and as much as I expected her to run, I knew she wouldn't. If she did, Klaus would take out his anger on all of us, and Elena had lost enough people today.

"Elena!" I yelled at her. She turned to me, her eyes glazed over with tears.

"Take care of Jeremy for me." She said, and then pushed past Klaus. He seemed amused by this, because he smirked and then followed her to the alter. I started moving the stake faster against the rope, using everything I had to cut at it. I felt a few strings come loose.

"Thank you Elena." Klaus said as he took her face in his hands. I saw her glare at him, a murderous one that would give life to the phrase if looks could kill. I felt more of the rope come loose.

"Go to hell." Elena said. Klaus smirked, chuckling a bit at her phrase. I tried furiously to get loose and with each movement I had more and more mobility. I watched helplessly as Klaus sunk his fangs into Elena. I moved quicker.

"Elena!" I screamed, moving faster than before. Finally, I could feel the ropes fall and I stood. I didn't have time to try and shake out my stiff muscles. I went to the edge of the ring of fire surrounding me, and it flared. I closed my eyes, turning my hands to fists before I jumped. I could feel the flames lapping at me and I felt the burns, but I couldn't stop myself. I looked up to the alter, where Klaus was draining Elena of blood. I felt my legs push me harder and faster, until I was running at full speed toward Klaus.

"Stop!" I yelled lunging at him. He knocked me over effortlessly, still drinking from Elena. I looked to my left, a wooden branch that Klaus used to stab Stefan with laid there. I grabbed it, plunging it into the Original vampire.

He let out a yell, dropping Elena, practically lifeless to the ground. I made my way to her, grabbing her so that I could try to get away. But Klaus was faster.

"Stop fighting me!" Klaus ordered. I struggled against his grasp. "I don't want to hurt you!"

"Let me go!" I yelled, but Klaus did not let go. He tossed me to the side, but I came back at him with full force. I couldn't let him get Elena, I wouldn't let it happen. "Leave her alone!"

It was then that I saw the full wrath of Klaus. He grabbed my upper arms, pushing me out of the way, but through his anger and haste to finish the job, he threw me so hard that my head cracked on the pavement. The last thing I saw before everything went back, was Elena, barely breathing and tears running down her face.

When Damon finally arrived, he was ready for a fight. He could see Klaus, taking in the fact that now he was transitioning, but Damon knew better. Bonnie and Elijah were going to kill him. It was Damon's job to get his brothers, Elena, and Alex the hell out of there.

But first he had a witch to kill.

Bonnie used her magic, sending Klaus soaring through the air, and startling the Martin witch. When she was good and distracted, Damon ran up and grabbed her by the neck. He snapped it effortlessly and she fell to the ground.

He then looked to where the girls lay. Damon felt his heart contract when his eyes landed on Alex. He wanted to protect her from this, he wanted to keep her alive. But he couldn't even do that.

"Damon." Stefan's voice was strangled and hoarse. "Get them out of here."

"What about you?" Damon asked. Stefan shook his head.

"I'm not leaving until he's dead." Stefan replied. Damon nodded once and then looked over his shoulder. He made a hand motion and down the hill ran Jace. He immediately went for Alex, but Damon stopped him. The two had a stare down before Jace finally gave in and instead picked up Elena.

Damon leaned down and scooped Alex up. She had no pulse. No heartbeat. She was gone.

But Damon didn't have time to mourn. He had to get her out of here. So, then he ran.

John Gilbert stood at the entrance of the door. The sun was just about to rise and he was feeling a bit anxious. Damon had not returned with either of his daughters and he was getting very nervous. He knew that he wouldn't be able to say goodbye to either of them. Oh, but he wished he could.

"Did you read all this?" Jeremy asked. John turned around, looking back to his nephew who was reading the Gilbert journal.

"I did." John replied. Jeremy looked up at him quizzically.

"So you understand what happened to the child's mother after the baby was brought back to life?" Jeremy asked, referring to the spell that linked John's soul to Alex's.

"Yes." John said. "She saved her daughter. She found peace."

"John…" Jeremy said. John then handed Jeremy a letter.

"I need you to give this to Elena for me." John said. Jeremy caught his gaze and then nodded. John swallowed hard.

"They're here!" Alaric called. Jeremy stared at his uncle for another fleeting moment before he ran up the stairs. John paused before he followed shortly after.

He walked up the stairs, seeing Jace and Damon carrying his daughters into the parlor. They set the two lifeless girls on the couches, and John felt as if he would be sick. She had a large head wound, which must have been the cause of her death.

Looking at her, he pictured Lauren. He knew now that the characteristics that they had placed to him, were actually none of his at all. She was the reincarnation of someone else's daughter, bus still she was his daughter. She was Lauren's daughter. She was their daughter.

John felt a tear fall from his eye as he looked at both of his children… lifeless. He wanted so much to say something, to do something. But he was. He was saving Alex's life. He was bringing her back, finally doing something that any father would do. His love for his daughters were stronger than any will to live. Even his love for Lauren could not compare to his passion to keep his daughters safe.

"Damon." John said. The dark haired vampire looked up, eyes cold as stone. "May I?"

Damon looked at him suspiciously, but then he nodded, standing tall. John knelt down, he knew he didn't have much time. As soon as Elijah's magic spell brought Elena back to life, Alex's life would return as well. And John would die. He held onto his fist borns hand.

"Alexandra." He wept, the tears falling. "My dear, Alex… I'm so sorry that I couldn't be the father you deserved."

She didn't move.

"I need you to take care of your mother." John said. "She needs you. And I need you to take care of Elena, and Jeremy. You're all they have left."

He swallowed at the lump in his throat.

"I love you." He said, almost in a whisper. He then leaned forward and kissed her forehead. He then pulled back, taking one last look before he walked away.

John then handed Damon his ring, attached was letter. He didn't know if the ring would do any good for Alex, considering she was somewhat supernatural, but he had to try. If anything, it would be a reminder of the father who had tried to save her, tried to be a father… but he just couldn't. If it made her sad, happy, or angry John didn't care which, because it would spark some kind of emotion, and that's what he wanted.

He walked to the end of the yard, fell to his knees, and then he was at peace.

My eyes opened with a jolt. It was as if I was underwater, and couldn't breath... and then I came up for air with a gasp.

"Alex!"

My eyes moved to where Jace was hovering over me. He pulled me to him in a tight embrace. I looked over to my right, seeing Elena being fussed over in the same way. She didn't look much better then I felt.

"Wh-what happened?" I asked. I knew what happened. I died. I remembered dying... so why was I still here. "Why am I still alive?"

The room went quiet, and everyone was looking around at one another. I furrowed my brows and then noticed Damon standing in the corner. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he was staring at me. I stood, making my way over to him. He didn't look away.

"What happened?" I asked. I could see him tense his jaw and then his eyes shifted to the front door. I turned slowly, following his gaze. And when I noticed a body lying on the ground, the gravity of what had just occurred weighed heavily on me.

"What's going on?" Elena asked. But I couldn't find it in me to speak. I started walking toward the front door and stopped at the frame. I had to hold onto it to keep from falling down. I heard rushed footsteps behind me, but I couldn't even bring myself to see who it was. By the feminine gasp, I assumed it was Elena.

"What happened?" She asked. No one answered her. Everyone was quiet, and I just stared at the person laying lifeless on the ground.

It was John. He was dead. And I was alive.