Hey guys! Season 3! I can't believe it! I know you are all worried about Elena and that kiss she had with Damon. Fear not! Just trust me, I know where I want to go with this. Dalex forever remember?

Season 3 Episode 1 The Birthday

The summer heat was brutal when the air conditioning was out. Lucky for me, ours had gone out just that morning and I was dying. My hair was up in a ponytail, keeping the long locks up off my neck so as to get some kind of breeze onto my sticky skin. I wore a loose tank top and a pair of shorts that I got over the summer. They were doing little to cool me off, but that was better than wearing my usual jeans and t shirts.

"You know most teenagers go to parties or hang out with friends during the summer." Mom said, using a battery power hand fan to cool off. "But you… you're working on a reading list."

"If I want to get into college I need to bring my grades up." I said, holding up my copy of the Scarlet Letter. Mom looked at me quizzically.

"When did you start wanting to go to college?" She asked. I shrugged, highlighting an important line on the page I was reading. In my other hand, I held the necklace that Damon had gotten me for my birthday. It matched my bracelet, another vervain trinket just in case something happened to the other one.

"Damon says I can get into an art program with better grades." I said with a shrug. "Figured I should at least try."

"Did I mention how much I like this guy?" Mom asked. I smirked from my seat before I dog eared the page and closed it. "He's been really good for you lately."

"He has." I agreed. Damon and I had been good lately. He kept me busy, taking me on road trips, helping me with my reading list, and well, the sex was good too. We had been pretty busy these last two months, but that didn't mean that we could forget the situation at hand.

Stefan was still missing, and that meant he was either with Klaus or he was dead. I was hoping for the former, but even that sounded awful to me. We had been all over, tracking down dead leads that might lead us to Stefan, but they all came up blank. I knew that Damon was beginning to lose hope, but yet he didn't give up. When a new lead would come, he would be right on it, trying to track the movements of the new hybrid and his little brother. I didn't think Damon would ever stop.

"And what about Elena?" Mom asked. I tensed. "You two haven't made up yet?"

"Well mom she kissed my boyfriend." I said turning to her with narrowed eyes. "What do you think?"

Mom chuckled, and shook her head. Truth be told, I hadn't spoken to Elena directly in all of these two months. I would see her every now and then, but I was doing my best to avoid her. She tried hard to talk to me, she had sent me texts, left me voice mails, she had even gone so far as to email me. All of her attempts went unanswered, and she eventually gave up. Well, I couldn't say she gave up, because in all honesty, I still received a text or call at least twice a week. I couldn't find it in me to forgive her, not after what had happened. Damon even told me I was overreacting but I couldn't bring myself to take the next step. Even if I did, how could I ever trust her again?

The sudden ring of the doorbell made me jump. Mom stood up and went to the door, even though we both knew who it was. When she opened the door, Jace was leaning against the door frame.

"Hey Jace." Mom said brightly. "Come on in."

"Thank you Ms. James." Jace said politely. I grabbed my bag and threw it over my shoulder. Jace and I trained together every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It had become routine. Mom didn't quite understand what we were doing, but she didn't ask too many questions. I told her we were going to self-defense class.

"How many times have I told you to call me Lauren?" Mom asked with a laugh. I walked out into the living room, smiling when I caught Jace's gaze. I tried not to notice the way his eyes floated over my frame before they met my mother's eyes again.

"At least a hundred." Jace said. "Sorry ma'am. My mama taught me manners."

"I'm sure she did." She said with a smile. "You kids have fun now."

"We will." I called over my shoulder before leading Jace out the front door. I tossed my bag into the back of Jace's truck and then climbed into the cab. Jace did the same, starting the engine with a roar.

"What are we working with today Ms. Huntress?" Jace asked. I rolled my eyes. Over the last two months I had honed my skills, becoming faster and stronger with each session. I was beginning to surpass Jace, which made me well up with pride.

"Cross bows most definitely." I said. "We haven't used them in a while."

"Cross bows it is." Jace replied. "But hey, we have to be done by 3."

"Why?" I asked, eyebrows furrowed. Usually we tired out around that time anyway, but I didn't understand the reasoning behind his strap for time.

"Caroline's throwing a birthday party for Elena at the house." Jace said. "I've got to shower and look presentable by 5."

"Oh." I replied, looking out the window. I didn't spend too much time at the boarding house, afraid Elena would show up and I would be forced to talk to her.

"You should come." Jace said carefully. "I know she would love to see you."

"Since when are you two so chummy?" I asked, not able to hide the jealously behind my voice. Jace was my best friend, not Elena's. The thought of Jace becoming close to her made my blood boil.

"Well, she's over at the house a lot." Jace shrugged. "Trying to track down Stefan and all."

"So what are you two like BFF's now?" I asked, arms crossed over my chest like a kid. There was no getting around Elena being near Jace or Damon. Until Stefan was found, she had every right to be there trying to find him. It made me want to find Stefan a lot more.

"That position is filled." Jace said, fondly looking at me. "Besides… she's real sorry."

"Doesn't erase what she did." I muttered. It didn't matter what she did to redeem herself or how many apologies she gave me. I was still mad, and I still had no desire to fix things with her.

"What she did was messed up ok?" Jace agreed with me. "But she made a mistake. We all do that."

"Everyone defends her!" I said out loud, throwing my hands up. "Sweet little Elena can do no wrong. I'm sick of it!"

"She's a bitch for what she did to you." Jace said, pulling the car over. He turned toward me. "But, she was a bitch to you before and you forgave her."

"That's different." I mumbled. I thought back to the time when Elena and I didn't even talk. When I was just that girl who was missing a dad and everyone thought was a freak of nature. I forgave Elena for that… what made this so different?

"She hurt you." Jace said. I met his gaze. "She hurt you, and you don't want to be hurt again."

I sat there, stewing with my arms crossed over my chest. He wasn't wrong. I trusted Elena. I knew she and Damon were close, they were friends. But I was friends with Stefan and I didn't go kissing him. Then again, Stefan wasn't dying. I could never explain Damon and Elena's friendship. It was sibling like, but yet in some cases it wasn't. Although, Damon showed no signs of feeling romantically for Elena, the kiss they shared left me thinking there was more to it then I first realized.

"Can we just drop this?" I asked. "I need to hit something."

"Just don't hit me ok?" He asked. I rolled my eyes and grabbed my bag. I took out my crossbow, along with some new targets I had made. I taped one to the tree and readied my stance. "Wait a second… is that Elena's face?"

I didn't answer as I sent the wooden stake out of the bow and into the target. It landed right in the middle of Elena's face was, landing right in her nose. I smirked at my handiwork.

"Real classy Gilbert." Jace muttered, going to hang up another Elena face target on the tree.

After our two hours of grueling work, Jace took me home so I could shower. I didn't want to go to this party, but then I started thinking about Elena being alone with Damon. It was at the Salvatore house, and I couldn't very well ask Damon to not go just because Elena was there. Besides, they were friends. I didn't want to be that clingy girlfriend who gets jealous every time someone eyes him, which was often. I wanted to trust him, and I did. It was Elena I no longer trusted.

I showered really quick, enjoying the cold water on my skin. It was a great contrast to the heat that was wafting in from outside. Once I was free of sweat and grime from the training I had just finished, I went back to my room to change. I slipped on a dark purple dress, with an abstract pattern on it. With the summer came new clothes, a new version of me that had a sense of style. I was still as simplistic as ever, but Damon gave me a new confidence that made me want to look nice, at least on occasion.

I grabbed my phone, shoved it in my pocket, and then headed out the door. It was a nice change, to be able to walk to the house. Usually I always had a ride, but today was different. No one expected me to go to this party, in fact everyone expected me not to. And I was tired of doing what everyone else expected. I was going to be daring.

There were cars scatter all over the Salvatore property and I shook my head thinking that Caroline would actually go low key on this party. Caroline never went low key on anything. I slowly went up the front steps and took a deep breath. I could do this. This was nothing compared to the stuff I had been through this last year, and yet it was even more terrifying.

I pulled the door open, letting the loud music from inside hit my ears. I blinked a few times before I stepped through. About every teenager that lived in Mystic Falls was here, and I was sure glad that Damon had a big house. Otherwise none of them would have fit. I searched the place, looking for anyone I knew, but I continued to come up empty.

"You came!"

I turned around just in time to see a blonde running at me and snatching me up into a hug. I knew by the death grip that it was Caroline, and even though she was crushing my lungs, I wrapped my arms around her anyway.

"You know me." I said. "Party animal."

Caroline pulled back, allowing me to breathe as she looked me over. She seemed impressed by the lack of ripped jeans and paint stained t shirts. She looked good, tan, which I didn't know that vampires could do. She looked like Caroline.

"I missed you." Caroline said in earnest. I forced a smile. "I know that I've been hanging out with she who must not be named-"

"She's not Voldemort, Caroline." I said with a smile. Caroline huffed, annoyed that I put down her clever pop culture reference.

"Yeah, but you haven't been around." She replied. "You've been hiding."

"I have not been hiding." I retorted. "I've just been…. Busy."

"Avoiding Elena." She finished for me. I opened my mouth but she stopped me. "I get it, I really do."

"You do?" I asked. Caroline had been with Elena for most of the summer. I couldn't blame her. Elena was going through a lot, but I knew that I couldn't be that comfort system to her anymore. So, Caroline took the role while Bonnie was away with family. I settled on training and hanging out with Damon. We were both coping in our own way.

"I mean, I would be pissed too if someone kissed my boyfriend." Caroline said with a shrug. I shifted my weight awkwardly. I hated to think about it, Damon lying unconscious, Elena's lips on his. I still didn't understand what was going through her mind, but then again I didn't really care to know. She did it and that was it.

"Speaking of which…" I said. "Are you dating Tyler?"

"No!" Caroline shouted, catching attention. "No, we are just… close."

"Like a couple." I concluded. Caroline opened her mouth a few times and then closed it.

"Stop trying to change the subject." She ordered. I laughed. "Just… Elena is really sorry."

"That's what everyone keeps telling me." I mumbled. "Listen, I'm going to go get a drink."

Before Caroline could protest I turned and walked away. I didn't want to talk about it, because I was in no position to forgive Elena. The hurt was still there, and even as much as I tried, I couldn't make myself feel anything toward Elena but anger.

I moved around the crowds, noticing Tyler dancing with some girl. I smiled to myself thinking about Caroline. If anyone could defeat the odds and go against the rivalry between vampires and werewolves it would be those two. Tyler understood Caroline better then Matt did. Although Matt was a good guy and an even better friend, I knew that he still didn't quite understand all of this supernatural stuff.

"Well look who showed up." It was Jace's voice and when I looked to my right, I saw him sitting on the couch, a red solo cup in his hand. I rolled my eyes as him, causing him to chuckle.

"I figured I could grace the whole teenage population of Mystic Falls with my presence." I said with a bow. "Caroline didn't waste any time inviting everyone."

"Did you expect any different?" Jace asked with a laugh. "I'm really glad you are here."

I gave him a small smile. He grabbed a cup of beer from the table behind him and gave it to me. Although I still wasn't a fan of the stuff, just being here put me on edge. I took a sip from the cup.

"Look at you." Jace said, his accent thick. I met his gaze. "Wearing a dress and drinking. What has that boyfriend of yours done to you?"

"He hasn't done anything." I replied with a smile. "I just… figured it was time I started being a real teenage girl and wearing girl clothes."

"You were fine before." Jace said. I bumped his arm playfully. I wouldn't lie and say my wardrobe hadn't changed. Tighter clothes that got in the way less were typically training attire, but they had integrated into my normal day attire, not that Damon was complaining. He approved of my new found love for tight black clothes.

"Well, thank you." I said with an eye roll. "I like being fine."

"You know what I meant." Jace replied. "You're beautiful now. You were beautiful before."

I blushed a little bit at his compliment. Jace and I had gotten close over the last two months, closer than we had been before. I didn't think it was possible to trust him after his betrayal with Katherine, but he made his way back to my circle.

"Speaking of boyfriends." Jace said, a little bitterly. I followed his gaze across the room to where my raven haired vampire walked into the room. He had a bottle of nice scotch in his hand and he was dancing like a fool. I smiled brightly about to go over to him, but stopped when I remembered that I was hanging out with Jace.

"Go on." Jace said, pushing my slightly forward. I gave him a thankful grin before I ran over to Damon.

Jace watched her go with a small smile, but when she ran to his arms and kissed him full on the lips, Jace's smile faded. Damon's hands were all over her, and the sight made Jace's hands curl into fists. He was good at putting on a good face, especially when Alex was involved, but it was getting harder and harder to watch her fall harder and harder for the vampire.

"Hey man."

Jace turned and saw Matt approaching him. He had a dreamy look in his eye and Jace could smell the marijuana wafting off of Matt's clothes. Jace coughed a bit at the smell.

"Hey." Jace said. "You high?"

"A little bit." Matt said, using his fingers to show how high he was. Jace scoffed and shook his head. He was never one for recreational drugs but with everything Matt had to deal with, he honestly couldn't blame the guy for needing an escape.

"That's rough huh?" Matt said. Jace furrowed his brows. "Watching her with another guy."

Jace looked back over to Alex who was laughing as Damon forced her to dance with him. Her movements weren't as fluid as his were, in fact she looked much to clumsy for this type of dance. But the smile on her face was all she needed to make her look graceful. The dress she wore spun around her as Damon spun her out and then into his chest. She stumbled, causing him to laugh. Even when she was being an absolute spaz she was beautiful.

"Yeah." Jace replied. The past two months had been the best, especially in terms of their friendship. He had always been attracted to Alex, which made it easier when it came to getting to know her when Katherine made him do it. However, when he started getting to know her and he became infatuated. Then it moved on to something much more.

Katherine was right, Jace had fallen for Alex, and slowly but surely he was falling harder and harder for her with each passing day. He knew she loved Damon, it was obvious to him every time she smiled when he was around.

"It sucks." Matt said. "When they want something stronger… supernatural."

"Are you talking about Caroline?" Jace asked. Matt shrugged. "Her and Tyler aren't dating."

"They might as well be." Matt said. Matt then clapped Jace on the shoulder. "Good luck buddy."

Jace waved to him as he walked away. He turned back to the couple on the other side of the room and sighed. He then went to find something that would get him drunk.

"It's our song!"

Cheap Trick's I Want You to Want Me came onto the stereo and I found myself groaning. I remember the memory vividly, how I was dancing like an idiot in my living room and then I fell when Damon rang the doorbell. Of course, at that point I had no idea that he could hear the whole thing because he was a vampire. I felt my face burn.

"No, this is not our song." I mumbled. Damon was holding my hands, forcing me to move and I would be lying if I said he wasn't making me have fun.

"Come on, you love the 80's." He said. I smiled, remembering how many movie marathon's I made him sit through with me and my mom. He did so, even if he hated it. It made me love him even more.

"Ok, some of us are human and get tired." I said, wiggling out of his grasp. "Sit with me?"

Damon followed me obediently as I led him to a free couch in the living room. His arm wound around me, either out of instinct or he was using it as a protective maneuver. Either way, I wasn't complaining.

"I didn't think you were coming." Damon commented, his voice sounding a bit curious. I simply shrugged, leaning back on the back of the couch.

"Well, I couldn't let Elena be your date." I said with a smirk. Damon tensed. "Oh, come on that was a joke."

"I didn't think we were at the joking stage." He replied. I shrugged again. Truthfully, I was trying to relieve any kind of tension between Damon and I. He was friends with Elena, and I couldn't tell him not to be. So far, as far as I knew, nothing happened between them except for friendly interactions. I had to keep a sharp eye, even if I knew that I could trust Damon. He had made it very clear his feelings for me that same night, and he had proved it to me every day since then.

"You've got to start somewhere." I said with another shrug. Damon stared at me for a long while, making me shift uncomfortably. "Where were you today?"

"Memphis." Damon replied, taking another swig of the alcohol. "I think we are on a good trail."

"That's good." I said. Damon shrugged. "What's wrong?"

"Stefan." Damon replied. "I know he's probably doing whatever Klaus says, but he's ripping again."

"Ripping?" I asked with furrowed eyebrows. The word make me shiver a bit. Damon sighed.

"He starts to feed, then he blacks out and rips the victims to shreds." Damon explained. I held back a gag. "Then he feels remorse, so he puts the bodies back together."

"Gross." Was all I could say. I had seen Stefan's blood lust first hand, but still the idea of him tearing the bodies apart made me cringe. Stefan was pure at heart, he had always been a good guy. To think of him that way… it was almost as if it should be illegal.

"I haven't told Elena." Damon said. I met his gaze. "So if you could keep this between us…"

"You don't have to worry about me talking to Elena, Damon." I said bitterly. Damon sighed. "What?"

"It's been two months Alex." Damon said. "You can't just forgive her?"

I sat up, away from his arm, so I could look at him better.

"You're kidding right?" I asked. He shrugged. "Damon, she kissed you."

"I know. But I was dying." Damon said. "It wasn't that big of a deal."

"It was to me." I said, a little hurt that he didn't seem to care about my feelings. "Why are you always defending her?"

"I do not always defend her." Damon replied. I sat up fully, scooting away from him. "I just think you're being ridiculous."

"I'm being ridiculous?" I repeated. "I wasn't the one who kissed someone else's boyfriend."

"If you want to get technical about it, we weren't together then." Damon said. I stared at him for a long time, not knowing what to say or how to react. I stood up, never leaving his gaze. He took a deep breath, then reached for me. I retracted my hand.

"I need some air." I said, going toward the door. I heard Damon protest behind me, but I ignored him pushing through the crowd. I couldn't believe he was taking her side. Everyone just expected me to magically forgive her, when I wasn't sure if I even wanted to. No one understood what I was feeling, because no one else knew what it was like to have such a close friend break that trust that you had together. Everyone just assumed that because she was sorry I could just say it was ok and move on.

But it wasn't ok. Not to me.

"Alex?"

I looked up and speak of the devil, Elena stood in front of me, a wide smile on her face.

"I'm so glad you're here!" Elena said, a little too excitedly. "I've been wanting to talk to you, but you haven't returned my calls, and I understand why, but I just-"

"Elena." I said, stopping her. "I'm really not in the mood… Happy Birthday."

Her face fell, but I didn't stick around for her to give me some long apology. I just wanted to be alone. I ventured outside kicking rocks as I did so. I was so mad, I wanted to train. But it was dark outside, and I learned first-hand not to go out into the dark by yourself. I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest. It was still warm, even after the sun had gone down. I felt a drop of sweat roll down the back of my neck. I wiped it away.

Suddenly, I heard a small noise, something that was soft so I was surprised when it caught my attention. My head whipped to the right where the source of the sound came from. I squinted, not able to see much in the dark with a little moonlight and the lights from the house my only source of sight.

"Hello?" I called. I received no answer. I looked back to the house, wondering if I should go back inside. Maybe that would have been smarter. Instead I turned back to my right and squinted a bit more.

"Is anyone out there?" I called. I realized then that I looked like one of those stupid girls in horror movies that was the first to die because she was too stupid to go back inside where it was safe. I reached down, unclipping the wooden stake I had strapped to my leg.

I heard the sound again, and I took a step forward. I slowly crept toward the source of the sound. When I was a good distance away from the house, I was beginning to think I was hearing things, because I found nothing. Not a person or an animal. Nothing. I huffed to myself, turning around to head back to the house.

"God!" I yelled when I was fully around. I hadn't expected someone to be right behind me, but in Mystic Falls, I shouldn't have been so surprised. I blinked a few times, it still very dark, but I could see the face of the person who had scared me.

"Stefan?" I said, recognizing the strong jawline and spiked hair. "What the hell man? You scared me."

I shoved at him playfully, but Stefan didn't smile. He barely even moved He just stood there, emotionless and looking like a stone. I felt my smile fade a little bit.

"We've been looking everywhere for you." I told him. I grabbed his arm and started to pull him toward the house. "Damon will be happy you're back."

I tried to pull him forward, but he didn't budge. I stared at him for a second, not truly recognizing the vampire who stood in front of me. This Stefan… it wasn't the one I knew. No, this Stefan was too stiff not showing any emotions what so ever.

"Stefan?" I said, trying to get his attention. I let go of his arm, about to just go inside and Let Damon handle this, but Stefan had other plans. He grabbed my own wrist. "Ow."

He pulled me in, closing his hand on my mouth so I couldn't scream. My eyes widened and I tried to fight him off. He was stronger, and I assumed he had been on a healthy diet of human blood which heightened his strength. With quick thinking, I used the stake in my right hand to stab him in the side. He groaned, releasing his hold of me and I got the chance to run. I sprinted toward the house, but along with his heightened strength also came his speed.

"Don't run." Stefan ordered. He yanked the stake out of his side and threw it to the ground. He was on me before I could even blink, having one hand over my mouth and the other arm around my waist. I tried to scream, I tried to fight him. But even with the two months of training, I couldn't beat him.

Damon looked everywhere for Alex, but she was nowhere to be found. He was starting to get annoyed. Did he think she was reading into this kiss too much? Yes. Did he think that Elena had feelings that were other than just friendly? Maybe. Did he think he should apologize to Alex and let her handle it? Unfortunately yes.

He couldn't expect her to just get over it, even though he believed the kiss was nothing but a moment of unexplained emotion. Alex felt betrayed, and honestly if the roles had been reverse, he couldn't honestly say he wouldn't act differently. So, he was going to find her and tell her that he was a moron and would drop the whole thing all together.

If he could just find her.

"Hey." Damon said when he found Jace. The kid had a cup of beer in his hand and he looked to be getting a little tipsy. "Have you seen Alex?"

"No." Jace replied, becoming serious quick. "Why? Is everything ok?"

"I don't know." Damon replied. "Keep an eye out for her."

Jace nodded, his eyes scanning the scene. Damon walked out onto the porch hoping she might be out there. All he saw were couples making out against the walls. Damon rolled his eyes. He did however find Alaric. He was sitting on the banister, drinking from a bottle of bourbon.

"Hey Mr. Depressing." Damon said, approaching the history teacher. "I'm looking for one of your students."

"Well, they are all here." Alaric said, taking a sip from the bottle. "All drunk too."

"Have you seen Alex?" He asked. Alaric thought for a second and then shook his head. "I can't find her anywhere."

"Maybe she went home." Alaric replied. Damon shook his head. He looked over the dark yard, his heightened senses able to pick up on things that normal humans couldn't. He squinted when he saw something laying on the ground. He sped over to it, picking it up in his fingers.

"Shit." He muttered upon seeing it. Alaric wasn't far behind. "Shit."

"What's wrong?" Alaric asked, looking at the object in Damon's hand. "Oh, shit."

In Damon's fingers was Alex's stake, covered in warm blood. She couldn't be far. Damon huffed to himself. That girl got into more trouble than he could ever imagine. Damon pulled out his phone, calling Alex's number. It was answered on the first ring.

"Damon?" It was Alex's voice, but it didn't sound like her. She sounded frightened, and Damon thought whoever had her was using her to answer the phone.

"Alex… where are you?" He asked. He tried to hear any kind of noise from the other end of the phone but he heard nothing.

"I'm at the Grill." She said. "On the roof."

"I'm coming to get you." Damon said. "Who took you?"

"I can't say." Alex said. Damon felt his blood boil. "Damon?"

"Yeah?" He asked.

"Please hurry." She said. Then the line went dead. Damon clutched his phone in his hand, causing it to break into pieces from the sheer strength in his palm. Alaric's eyes went wide.

"I've got to go." Damon said. "Hold down the fort for me?"

Alaric nodded and Damon was off. He ran to his car, punching the gas when he got in. If Stefan touched one hair on Alex's head, Damon didn't care if Stefan was his brother, he would be dead. It was times like these that Damon wished that he had turned her that day that Stefan and Elena double crossed him. Alex was tough, he knew that, and the training she was getting with Jace was helping her immensely, but she just wasn't strong enough. Although she was made to protect the doppelganger, she wasn't as quick and strong as a vampire. And it killed Damon that she was used against him. She was always put in danger, because of him.

He pulled up to the Grill, half assing a turn into a parking spot before he jumped up to the roof, not caring if anyone saw him. At first he saw no one and was beginning to think that this was all a game. However, he heard a small whimper and knew that she was there. He turned slightly to his left, and caught sight of Stefan holding Alex close to the edge of the roof.

"Hello brother." Stefan said, his hand clutching Alex's arm. She was trying hard to keep her balance. "Nice of you to join us."

"Let her go Stefan." Damon ordered. Alex locked eyes with him, the fear evident in her green orbs, but she was putting on a good face. She wasn't going to show her weakness, and Damon felt a certain sense of pride.

"Oh, ok." Stefan said, releasing his hold on Alex's arm for a second. Alex's eyes widened as she started to fall backward. Damon stepped forward to catch her, but Stefan caught her before she really fell. She inched away from him, glaring at him with an intense gaze. Damon immediately thought of the time when he was doing the same thing to Vicki Donovan, trying to get a rise out of Stefan. It was amazing how the tables had turned.

"Stop playing around." Damon said. Stefan chuckled. "Where have you been Stefan?"

"That is none of your concern." Stefan replied. "Need you to stop following me. Causing some problems."

Damon furrowed his brows.

"With who? Klaus?" Damon asked. "Are we supposed to care with he thinks?"

"You're supposed to let me go." Stefan said. Damon scoffed. Alex was still teetering on the edge of the roof. The longer she stayed there the more nervous Damon was. He didn't think Stefan was capable of it, but being with Klaus for two months had done some damage.

"Saw your latest artwork in Tennessee. Walking a fine line there my friend." Damon said. "Keep that up and there will be no saving you."

"See the thing is, I don't need any saving." Stefan said. "I just want you to let me go."

"Sorry, but I've got a birthday girl who won't let me do that." Damon said, eyeing Alex. "Now, let her go."

Stefan looked between Damon and then at Alex. Alex shifted away, Stefan leaning closer to take a sniff at the skin of her neck. Alex cringed. Damon tensed, seeing Stefan's eyes change, turning darker at the scent of Alex's blood. He was ready to intervene.

"You won't do it." Damon said, trying to reason with him. "Klaus would kill you."

Stefan smirked.

"You know, maybe I haven't made my point." Stefan said, looking back to Damon. Damon's eyes narrowed. A sickening grin formed on Stefan's face, there was a pause, and he then let go of Alex's arm. The brunette fell backward, a shriek coming out of her mouth. Damon jumped from the roof at vampire speed, catching Alex in just a knick of time.

"Hey, hey, hey, shhhh." Damon cooed, Alex burying her face in his chest. "Not cool brother!"

"Now you know I'm not playing around." Stefan said. "Let me go."

The brothers glared at one another for a minute before Stefan disappeared. Damon debated on going after him, but decided that was a bad idea. Stefan was gone, physically and emotionally. Alex was trembling in his arms, clutching at his shirt for dear life. Damon shushed her, trying to calm her down.

"I'm sorry." Damon said. "This is all my fault."

"No it's not." She whispered. "I want to go home."

Damon nodded, putting her in the car and taking her back home. He told Lauren that she had had a rough night and to let her sleep. Alex kissed him on the cheek before she fell asleep. He sighed, wanting to stay with her, but knowing that she needed her space.

He drove back to the house, the party having ended and the house empty. He sighed at the mess they had left and was thankful for his vampire speed that would help with the cleanup. He would do it in the morning, he was too tired tonight. He went up the stairs, finding Jace's door open and his God awful country music playing at full blast. Damon rolled his eyes.

"Could you turn that down?" Damon asked, irritated that he would have to ask. Jace said nothing, turning the Hank Williams Jr. song down so Damon could hear himself think. He was about to turn to leave, but Jace stopped him.

"Is she ok?" Jace asked. Damon turned to him with furrowed brows. "Alaric told me."

"And you didn't come to the rescue?" Damon asked, arms crossed over his chest. Usually Jace was all for running into danger, just like Alex. Maybe it was a human thing.

"Not that I didn't try." Jace replied. "Alaric told me you could handle it."

"I did." Damon replied. Jace nodded once. The two fell into silence. Jace and Damon didn't interact much, and when they did they were usually disagreeing. But they had one thing in common, and that was Alex.

"Is Stefan ok?" Jace asked. Damon wet his lips.

"He's gone." Damon said, a little bitterly. "He flipped the switch."

"Damn." Jace said. "I'm sorry man."

"Me too." Damon replied. When the two fell silent again, Damon took his chance to leave. He went back to his room, too tired to even think straight. Was he mad at Stefan for endangering Alex's life? Yes. Was he upset that his brother was really gone? Yes. He always thought it would be Stefan who kept his humanity on. Boy was he wrong.