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Season 3 Episode 4 Disturbing Behavior

I woke up the next morning to the smell of something cooking coming from the kitchen. I rolled over, checking the clock. It was around noon. I jumped, not knowing I had slept in that late. Usually, Damon was over at the crack of dawn. We would just lay in bed and when my mother would come in and check on me he would disappear. Then he would come back and we would just lay there. Sometimes we talked, but most of the time we were in complete silence, just enjoying one another's company. This was not like most mornings.

I threw off the sheets and started making my way out of my room. I passed a mirror, grimacing at my bed head curls. I didn't bother trying to fix them. Only a good shower would do the job. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little upset that Damon wasn't there. I had become so used to our routine, that it bothered me that he had broken it. Not that I needed him to function, but it was just nice to know he was there. I walked out into the hallway, making my way toward the kitchen. I heard laughter, and when I poked my head into the kitchen I saw who it was.

"Rick?"

Both my mother and history teacher looked up suddenly. My mother's eyes were wide with shock, and Alaric was so red he resembled a tomato. I could feel my heartbeat thumping in my ears, and there was a familiar sinking feeling in my stomach that told me I might be sick.

"Honey!" Mom said, louder than she needed to. "I didn't think you would be up this early!"

"It's 11:30." I replied. Rick was looking down at the floor, unable to meet my gaze. Both were fully clothed, but by the shape they were in, I could tell that he hadn't just come over that morning.

"Right." Mom said. "Mr. Saltzman was just… uh…"

"Helping with your mom's chili recipe." Rick said, stirring the pot. "She could use a few lessons."

"Oh, Rick." Mom said, playfully hitting him. When did my mother start calling Mr. Saltzman Rick? My eyes widened. I knew that look, that playful smack. She was flirting. I felt my stomach lurch.

"Ok…" I croaked, unable to get anything else out. Mom took a deep breath, before she excused herself. She took my arm, leading me out of the kitchen and back into my room. I had my back to her, unable to look her in the eye.

"I know this is weird-"

"Weird?" I asked sarcastically, whipping around. "Why the hell is my history teacher in our kitchen?"

"Watch your mouth." Mom scolded, pointing a finger at me. I crossed my arms over my chest. "Well, you know that parent-teacher senior orientation was yesterday."

"Yeah, so?" I asked. She bit her lip.

"Rick and I… we just hit it off." Mom said with a small shrug. I felt my jaw drop. "We went to dinner, and then we came back here and-"

"Please don't finish that sentence." I begged, picturing my mother in bed with my history teacher. "So… what is this?"

"What do you mean?" She asked with furrowed brows.

"Like, are you dating?" I asked, choking on the word. "Or are you just… reaping the benefits?"

"God, no!" Mom almost shouted. "We went out once. I don't know where this could lead."

I sat on my bed, trying to process all of this. My mother had sex. She had sex with my teacher. My vampire hunting teacher. I thought that her sleeping with my dad was weird…. But this… This was too weird beyond words.

"Jenna and John just died." Mom said sadly. I met her gaze. "We bonded over our heartbreak."

I set my jaw. Alaric had lost Jenna, and mom had lost John. I remembered the letter, when he said that he loved her. Maybe this would be good. I wanted my mom to be happy, and she didn't date much. Alaric was a great guy. How could I stop her from dating a great guy?

"I know this is weird. You just lost your dad…" Mom said. "And if this is too weird for you, I can end it right now."

I looked up and met her gaze. She was always giving things up for me. She had been since I was born, and even before then. I couldn't make her give up her chance at happiness just because it was uncomfortable for me. John was gone, and any chance of my parents getting back together and us being a family was gone. I couldn't make her wait around for someone who wasn't coming back.

"No." I said, shaking my head. "No, this is good."

"You think so?" Mom asked, her eyes sparkling. I smiled at the sight of her and nodded.

"Mr. Saltzman is a great guy." I replied. "I want you to be happy."

Mom grinned even wider, leaning down and kissing me on the forehead.

"I love you." She said. I smiled. "Get dressed. We are going to the Lockwood party."

"Is that today?" I asked, completely forgetting that there was yet another event that I had to go to.

"Yeah." She replied. "So, get dressed."

I sighed, standing up. She went to the door, but stopped before she opened it.

"He is a good guy huh?" She said, not really asking. I smiled, nodding to her. She nodded back before she went into the hallway. I let out a long breath before I prepared for my shower. I wasn't really interested in this party, but I knew that I had to make an appearance. And, my mom was looking forward to it. Especially with her new… boyfriend. The word just didn't feel right, but I shook it off.

Once I was cleaned up I went back to my bedroom and changed. I put on a black v-neck and cut off jean shorts that would be nice in the summer afternoon. When I was clothed, I heard a small knock on my door, and yelled for the person on the other side to come in. Jace's head poked in, and I couldn't ignore the way his eyes landed on my legs and slowly came up to my eyes.

"You look pretty." He said. I smiled, not able to stop the blush from burning my cheeks.

"Thank you." I said. He closed the door behind him, letting his eyes go from my legs to my walls. "Is Rick still out there?"

"Yeah." Jace replied. "Why is he here anyway?"

"Apparently he's dating my mom." I said. Jace's eyes widened. "Yeah."

"Well…" Jace said, rubbing his hand over the back of his neck. "That's awkward."

"Tell me about it." I muttered.

Jace found his way to my bed, flopping down on it casually. I fell down next to him, and the two of us stared at the ceiling in silence. It was nice, to be able to be in complete silence with someone and it not be awkward. I guessed this was what it was like to have a best friend.

"Did Damon say where he was going this morning?" I asked, looking over to Jace. He didn't meet my gaze, and I saw him set his jaw tight. I furrowed my brows.

"He uh… well…" Jace said, slowly catching my eye. "He went to Elena's."

I stared at him for a long while, not sure if I had heard him correctly. When his words finally processed in my brain, I looked back to the ceiling. My hands folded on my stomach, and I forced myself not to cry, or throw up.

"He said he wanted to check on her." Jace said. "You know… with the whole Stefan's not coming back thing, she's a bit on edge."

I couldn't bring myself to respond. I just nodded stiffly. I had to stop taking this stuff so seriously, but my paranoia over Elena and Damon hanging out was getting the best of me. I was so afraid that something would happen, that he would pick her over me. If he did, I didn't think I would survive. I would be crushed. Sounded a bit dramatic, but my love for Damon was ever present, and I didn't want to lose him.

"Do you think I should worry?" I finally asked. I turned back to Jace, who was looking me over. He took a while to respond, just staring into my eyes. While my eyes had a bit of brown in them, Jace's were pure green, like a jade stone. They were beautiful, for a lack of a better word.

"No." Jace replied, taking a deep breath. "No… there is nothing to worry about."

I smiled, and this one wasn't forced. If Jace told me not to worry, then I wouldn't worry. Hell, Damon proved to me over and over how much he loved me. Why would I be so hung up over them hanging out? I wasn't too sure if Elena had feelings for Damon or not. But either way Damon was mine, and I didn't think he was leaving any time soon.

"I wish I could have gone with you guys." Jace said. "Maybe I could have backed you up."

"And have Klaus kill you?" I asked, with a shake of my head. "Nuh uh. Klaus doesn't know you are involved and I would like to keep it that way."

Jace smiled, and there was something behind his expression that I couldn't quite place.

"Hey now." Jace said. "I'm a ruthless vampire hunter. I can take care of myself."

I rolled my eyes but chuckled anyway. Jace was good, I had to give him that. But he wasn't Klaus good, and now that he was a hybrid, there was no killing him.

"Besides I got this nifty thing here." Jace said, holding up his ring finger. The Gilbert ring sat upon it. I took his hand, examining it. The ring fit his large fingers nicely, and it looked like it belonged to him. I frowned a bit thinking about where it had come from.

"I read the letter." I said suddenly. Jace met my gaze. "The one from John… I read it in Chicago."

Jace sat up abruptly, looking at me with concern. I followed his lead, although much less jumpy then his.

"What did it say?" He asked. "Are you ok? I should have been there. Why didn't you call me-"

"Jace." I said, catching his attention. He quieted. "I'm fine. It just… said he loved me… he made mistakes… he wants the best for me… typical suicide note to a daughter."

Jace was still looking me over with concern. I still hadn't had time to process the note. I had read it so brashly, I didn't know how to feel about it.

"Do you miss him?" Jace asked, his voice soft and even. I didn't respond right away. I just sat there, staring at the ring on his finger. John was right, saying that he wanted me to put it to good use. Keeping Jace alive, that was good for me. In times of crisis, he was always there. When I had a problem he was always by my side. He talked me down from my crazy episodes, and he made sure that I was ok. Just like I couldn't lose Damon, I couldn't lose Jace either.

"I don't know." I said standing up. "It's like… I never got the chance to really know him…. And just like before, I feel cheated."

"I'm sorry." Jace replied, standing up with me. "I wish I could tell you that that feeling will go away but I can't."

I met his gaze, his eyes sad.

"When my parent's died… I felt the same way." He said. "It was like… I could never have that family again. Nothing, and no one, would ever live up to what I had. No amount of foster families could fix the hole in my heart that their death left me."

I stared at him for a while. Jace was rarely ever sad. He was always happy, go lucky, sometimes angry, but never sad. Sometimes I forgot that he actually had a life before this. I forgot that he had a family and that he was passed around foster homes. Sometimes I forgot that he only came here because he was under Katherine's control. I forgot all of those things, and I felt bad because of it.

"You have a family now." I said, with a smile. "I'm your family."

He smiled weakly, and I pulled him into a hug. He wound his arms around my waist, and I felt him bury his face into my hair. I didn't know how long we stood there, probably several minutes. But I didn't let go, because if Jace needed me I would be there for him.

"Does that mean that Alaric is going to be my new dad?" Jace asked, his voice muffled by my hair. I reached up and hit him in the back of the head. He chuckled, pulling back to look at me. "We should get going."

We arrived at the party with mom's pot of chili. I wouldn't lie and say that the bottom wasn't burnt a bit, even with Alaric's help. Mom made me promise not to tell, to which I rolled my eyes. The Lockwood house was packed, as per usual. Whenever one of these events came up, it seemed like the whole town would show up. There wasn't anything better to do, I assumed.

"I'm going to go find the girls." Mom said, handing me the pot. "I trust that you can handle that."

"I'll try." I replied, my voice laced in playful sarcasm. Mom smiled, waving to Jace and I as she and Alaric went to go and mingle. I smiled after her, but it slowly faded. I was happy for her, but it was still weird to see her with my history teacher.

"I think the food table is out back." Jace said, pointing outside. I nodded, following him as he led the way. Sure enough, the table was packed full of food. Jace smirked to me when I set my eyes on the endless amounts of Mystic Fall's resident chili. I set my pot down, seeing that the Gilbert recipe was already on the table. That meant Elena was nearby.

"Is that Alexandra Gilbert?" A voice behind me said. "The best damn guardian Mystic Falls has ever had?"

I turned, my eyebrows furrowed. However, my face relaxed and turned into one of excitement when I saw who it was.

"Bonnie!" I yelled in excitement, running up to the girl and taking her in my arms. She squealed as well, hugging my tight around the neck. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." She replied fondly. She pulled back to look at me. "A lot sure has happened huh?"

"That's an understatement." I muttered. Bonnie chuckled before she fully released me and went to go greet Jace. After she shared a short embrace with him, she turned back around to me.

"You're boyfriends here." Bonnie said. "Probably eating puppies or something."

I rolled my eyes. Bonnie still wasn't Damon's biggest fan, and I couldn't really blame her. He had done a lot of bad things, some that should have been unforgivable. But, Bonnie and Damon had an understanding. They could work together if that is what benefitted them, or someone they cared about.

"Listen, I wish I could just sit here and talk to you about my boring summer…" Bonnie said. "But actually we have a problem."

I furrowed my brows.

"What kind of problem?" I asked. Whenever Mystic Falls had a problem, usually it had to do with the supernatural, and I wasn't looking forward to that. Why couldn't we have just a normal day?

"Elena's necklace." Bonnie said. She took her bag off her shoulder and brought out Emily's grimoire. "It burned her, like out of nowhere. I'm going to try to find out what it is."

"It burned her?" Jace asked. It didn't make sense. Unless she was a vampire and the vervain burned her, but I wasn't convinced Elena was a vampire in the slightest.

"Yeah." Bonnie replied and grabbed my arm. "Sorry, but I need to steal you away."

"Why?" I moaned. I knew wherever she took me, Elena wouldn't be too far away. We were making progress, but that still didn't mean we were at a good place yet. "You're the witch."

"Stop being a baby." Bonnie said. I looked over to Jace pleading with him. He shrugged, turning around back to the food. I huffed, letting Bonnie drag me across the mansion yard and off to a more secluded area. I could see a blonde and brunette standing near a stone bench, and when we got closer I could confirm that it was Caroline and Elena.

"There you are." Caroline said. "We've been waiting for like, ever!"

"It's been twenty minutes Caroline." Bonnie replied. Caroline mumbled under her breath. I went up and hugged her.

"I'm sorry I haven't gotten to you sooner." I said, pulling back to look at her. "Are you ok?"

"Well, my dad hates me so there is that." Caroline said, her voice a little sad. I gave her a sympathetic look. While we had been off trying to rescue Stefan, Caroline's dad had kidnapped her and tortured her. She didn't go into great detail, but even the idea of her dad hurting her made my blood boil. I shivered just thinking about it.

"He does not hate you." Elena said, trying to be positive. The blonde turned and scoffed.

"He tortured me, Elena." Caroline spat. "He tried to fix me. He tried to change me. He hates me."

Elena looked down. No one knew what to say about that. In a creepy sort of way, Bill was doing this stuff out of love. He didn't like vampires, and in his mind her was trying to save his daughter. But Bill couldn't condition Caroline to not be a vampire. It just couldn't be done.

"I have an identification spell that might be able to tell me what magic affected the necklace." Bonnie said, catching our attention. "It's going to take a while, so tell me if anyone's coming, okay?"

Bonnie started to do her thing, and it still amazed me just how powerful my friend was. We all sat there for a few minutes, the tension thick and awkward. I could feel Caroline looking between Elena and I. Neither one of us spoke. There wasn't much to say really. Elena was sorry and I didn't trust her. We had already established that, so there was no reason to keep talking about it.

"Are you two ever going to make up?" Caroline asked. Elena looked up to her friend wide eyed. I felt my face flush and I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "It's so awkward that we can't all hang out anymore!"

"Caroline…" Elena said in a scolding tone. She met my gaze for a second before she looked away. I knew Elena was being careful around me, and she was hoping that if she got back on my good side that we could go back to being friends again. But I could not be forced into this. It was going to take time.

"I just want you two to be friends again." Caroline said, looking between us. She grabbed my hand and then grabbed Elena's. "It's not like you can get rid of the other. You're bonded."

I internally sighed. The bond between us was ever present, and I couldn't make it go away. My protective instincts were still there when it came to Elena. But just because I wanted to protect her, did not mean that I had to be friends with her.

"Well, if we are here to gossip." I said, catching their attention. "My mom and Alaric are apparently dating."

"What?!"

"Yeah." I said, meeting Elena's gaze. "I'm sorry."

"It's ok." She said. "I can't expect him to be sad over Jenna forever."

I nodded.

"Hey guys."

The three of us looked around to Bonnie. I couldn't help but gasp when I finally turned around. The necklace that was usually hanging around Elena's neck was now levitating off of Bonnie's spell book.

"What are you doing?" Caroline asked. Bonnie shook her head in response.

"I'm not doing anything." Bonnie replied, then she looked up to us. "It has its own magic."

We all shared a glance, but surprisingly enough, Elena and I gazed at one another for much longer than I did with the other two. Elena's necklace was doing something, and I had to sinking suspicion that it would not be good for either of us.

Bonnie went back to see if she could find anything in the many grimoires she had collected over the year. Elena, Caroline, and I stayed at the party, but my mind was everywhere else but the festivities. If the necklace had magic, that meant that another witch was involved. It had never done anything like this before, so why now? Why was it suddenly starting to float and burn people who touch it? The thought made me shiver.

"Stefan never told you where he got the necklace right?" Caroline asked. Elena shook her head.

"No. And I never asked." Elena replied. "Hopefully Bonnie will be able to figure it out."

I had a very bad feeling about this necklace. I couldn't trust anything or anyone anymore when it came to supernatural and magic. Klaus was still out there, and he had Stefan as his evil little henchman. Not to mention, he had his own witch who had to be powerful or Klaus wouldn't bother with her. Then there was no forgetting that Katherine was always lurking around. She had put hiding down to a science. There was no way of knowing where she would be or when.

"Please tell me it's time to go." Jace said, meeting up with us. I felt myself relax a bit when he was by my side.

"Beyond." Elena said. "Where's Damon?"

I tensed, but Elena looked very innocent with the question. To be honest, I hadn't seen Damon at all that day. I knew he had a council meeting, but I figured he would have been done by now and have met up with me.

"Probably off somewhere doing bad things to good people." Caroline said. I glared at her. "Consider me the honesty police."

I rolled my eyes and opened my mouth to retort but Caroline's expression changed. My smile fell upon seeing her in such distress. Elena picked up on it as well, grabbing Caroline's arm in concern.

"What is it?" Elena asked. Caroline was staring off into another room and I followed her gaze.

"It's my dad." Caroline said. I tensed, seeing the man socializing in the other room. He didn't even look remorseful for what he did to his own flesh and blood. I narrowed my eyes.

"Why would he even show up here?" Elena asked, staring at the man herself. My hands balled into fists.

"Cause he's a jerk." I muttered, then looked at Caroline. "No offense."

"None taken." Caroline replied, stepping backward. "I can't stay here…"

"I get it." Elena said with a nod. "Call me later."

Caroline nodded before she turned and fled the scene. I watched after her with so much sympathy in my heart. The sympathy melted when I looked back to Bill Forbes.

"Anyone else want to beat him with a tire iron?" I asked. Caroline was one of the sweetest people I had met in my life. Some times she didn't seem that way, but she was a true friend and would do anything for the people she loved. I wouldn't put it past her to continue to protect him, even after what he did. I didn't know if I could be that generous.

"I'll help." Elena said. I looked to my right, catching her eye. I couldn't stop the small smile that curved on my lips. Elena and I had our problems, but if we could work together to help the people we cared about, I think we could get along long enough to do so.

"Let's get out of here." Jace said. "I think the Fell chili had something in it."

"I told you not to eat that!" I said. Jace rolled his eyes. "Have you seen my mom?"

"Last time I saw her, she was with Rick." Jace said. I cringed. "They looked really happy."

I nodded, not wanting to push the subject. I just wanted to go. The three of us, Elena, Jace and I, went out the front door, only to be met up with by my missing vampire.

"Wait, wait, Houston, we have a problem." Damon said, stopping us. I stepped closer to him, meeting his gaze.

"Hey, where have you been?" I asked. The look on Damon's face told me that where he had been wasn't important.

"Managing Bill Forbes." Damon replied. "Apparently he's impervious to compulsion."

I furrowed my brows. No one could be impervious to compulsion. Vervain was the only thing that could stop a vampire from compelling a human.

"How?" Elena asked. Damon shook his head.

"I have no idea. But he threatened to out me." Damon said. "Don't get me started on the irony of that."

I rolled my eyes, smacking him lightly on the arm.

"What did you do to him?" Elena asked accusingly. "How do you know the compulsion doesn't work?"

"That's not the most important piece of information I mentioned, Elena." Damon said with an eye roll. I felt a feeling of dread spread over me. If Bill couldn't be compelled, then he had the upper hand. If he outed Damon… then the council would try and kill him. I felt my heart clench.

"Ok, what does he want?" Jace asked.

"He wants to control the council." Damon replied. "Says it's been compromised."

"It has." Jace mumbled, making Damon glare at him.

"He wants to put vervain in the town's water supply." Damon said. I felt my stomach sink. If the water supply was spiked with vervain, then Damon couldn't feed, not even off of blood bags from Mystic Falls. He would have to go somewhere else to feed.

"Maybe it's not a bad idea." Elena said. "I mean, it'll help you keep yourself in control now that Stefan's not here to-"

"To what? To keep me in check? Make me behave?" Damon barked. Elena flinched. "I should have killed him this morning."

"Hey now." I said, turning back to Damon. "We can't kill him."

"Yes I can." Damon said, his glare now turned onto me. I furrowed my brows. Damon's attitude had taken a complete 180, and I wasn't sure where his anger had come from. I knew he was stressed about this whole situation, but there was no way I was going to stand by while he killed Caroline's dad.

"Damon…" I said, putting a hand on his chest in an attempt to calm him. "This is Caroline's dad we are talking about… You can't kill him."

"He's a threat, Alex." Damon replied. "He can't be compelled, so he has to die."

"There has to be some other way-"

"There's not Alex!" Damon yelled at me. I winced at his tone. "Don't try to get in my way."

"Or what?" Jace asked, stepping in front of me. "What are you going to do?"

"I would not piss me off kid." Damon said, his voice even and threatening. I furrowed my brows. He sent a glare to Jace before he turned and was about to make his way back into the house. Jace, on the other hand, had other plans. He reached forward and grabbed Damon's arm to stop him.

Damon turned back with quick speed and grabbed Jace's face. With quick reflexes, he snapped Jace's neck and I watched as my best friend fell to the ground lifeless. I couldn't stop the shriek that escaped my lips as I fell down to Jace's limp body. I was relieved to find the Gilbert ring still on his finger. Jace would be fine, but the fact that Damon had done so, made my blood boil.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I yelled at him, cradling Jace's head in my lap. Damon eyed Jace before meeting my gaze. There was only a split second of remorse in his eyes before it was filled again with his anger.

"I have a Forbes to kill." Damon said, taking off toward the house. I looked down at Jace, fighting back the tears. I couldn't believe Damon had done such a thing. He knew how much Jace meant to me, and it didn't stop him from killing him dead right in front of me.

"He's going to be ok." Elena said, looking at Jace's ring finger. "We should probably call Caroline."

I nodded, watching as Elena pulled out his phone to call our friend. I set Jace's head down, gently, on the cool grass before I stood and brushed myself off. I was about to head into the house when someone grabbed my arm to stop me.

"Where are you going?" Elena asked, phone still pulled up to her ear. I looked down at her hand, but she didn't remove it.

"I'm going to go talk some sense into him." I replied, wrenching my arm from her grasp. I turned, but Elena stepped out in front of me. "Get out of my way."

"No." Elena replied, standing tall. "Damon's not stable right now. What if he hurts you?"

I scoffed.

"Damon won't hurt me." I said, trying to step around her. Again she stepped in my path. "Elena-"

"You didn't think that he would hurt Jace." Elena said. My jaw tensed. "I don't want you to get hurt."

I swallowed. Damon was angry, I knew that. But I had to try and stop him. If I didn't, he would kill Caroline's dad and I couldn't have him doing that. I appreciated Elena's concern, but I could take care of myself, and I didn't need Elena doubting me.

"I can handle myself." I said, stepping around Elena. She grabbed my arm again. "Let me go."

"No!" Elena said, trying to pull me. I huffed, grabbing her wrist and twisting it backward. She let out a shriek of pain and released her hold of me.

"Don't follow me." I ordered, letting go of her wrist and taking off toward the house. I ran inside, pushing around people to try and find Damon. I ran up the stairs, checking every room that wasn't locked. Stupid mansion was too big. He could be anywhere, and Bill Forbes could be dead. I felt the panic rise inside of me until I heard a loud crash coming from downstairs. I bolted down the grand staircase, pushing past more people without even saying a rushed excuse me. I ran to the source of the sound, Mayor Lockwoods office.

When I arrived, I caught just the end of a fight between Damon and Caroline. Bill Forbes was bleeding from his neck, but he was very much alive. Caroline threw Damon against the wall, making a quick getaway past me with her father in tow. Damon jumped up quick, and I could see the fresh blood falling from his lips. It made me sick.

"Bummer." Damon muttered. "I love a good girl fight."

"What the hell is going on Damon?" I asked. "You can't just kill everyone who gets in your way."

"Why can't I?" Damon asked. "It's nothing I haven't done before."

I shivered. I knew Damon killed, but recently he had been good about it. He had resorted to feeding bags and compelling people instead of offing them. I didn't know if that was for my sake or because he was really just trying to be better. I was beginning to believe that he was only doing it to make me feel better.

"Why is it suddenly so important for everyone to keep me in check?" Damon asked. I furrowed my brows.

"What are you taking about?" I asked. Damon scoffed.

"Everyone has been acting like I am supposed to be good!" Damon yelled. "I am not Stefan!"

I stepped forward, cautiously. He didn't move, he just continued to glare at me.

"I don't want you to be Stefan." I said. "Damon, I just can't deal with you killing-"

"I'm a vampire, Alex!" He yelled. I felt my anger rise.

"That doesn't mean you have to act like one!" I yelled back. Damon let out a humorous chuckle. He was stepping closer to me, making my anxiety creep up. This wasn't the Damon I knew. This was someone completely different, and I didn't like it.

"Out of everyone in this town…" He said, his voice sad. "I never expected you to try and change me."

With that he sped out of the room. I felt my heart clench and tears brimmed my eyes. His words hurt, they wounded me as if I had been stabbed with a knife. Had I been trying to change him all along? Or was it just that I thought better of him? All the times everyone told me he was no good, I had said they were wrong. In the end… was it me that was wrong? Was Damon capable of valuing human life? Or was it all a façade, an act that he put on to appease me? Had all the time of pretending to care bottle up his true nature? Or was he afraid to be good?

All these questions ran through my mind, and I couldn't stop the tears from falling. I slipped down the wall, unable to stop the sobs that racked through my body.

Damon knocked back a drink that he poured himself before he poured another one. He knocked this one back too, swallowing the bitter liquid. He wanted to forget this feeling, this guilt that kept pricking in his gut.

He had gone too far. Killing Jace… wasn't his smartest move. He didn't like the kid, but he knew how much he meant to Alex. Damon hadn't even seen the ring on his finger until after he snapped Jace's neck. If he hadn't been wearing it… Alex would have never forgave him. He was just… so angry that everyone was trying to tell him how to behave. When Alex looked at him, as if he was a monster, it set him off.

She had always believed in him, always saw better of him. And in that moment he saw him differently. It was back to the times when she feared him instead of loved him. Damon took another sip of his drink. Not even alcohol could that that image away. Everyone expected Damon to be a replacement Stefan, and he wouldn't do it. He couldn't. He expected that from Elena, because from the very beginning she had tried to make Damon be better. But Alex… she had never expected it. She fell in love with him even when he was bad. She didn't agree with him all the time, but she never made him change. Except tonight. Tonight, she had let it out. She didn't want him to act this way, and Damon didn't think he could handle he trying to change him. Not Alex.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Damon huffed, setting down his glass and walking to the door. He expected it to be Alex, coming to apologize.

"I'll accept written apologies only." Damon said opening the door. He stopped when he saw Elena. "What do you want?"

She didn't speak. She stood there, silently, and expressionless. That is until she smiled. Damon knew then that it wasn't Elena. It was Katherine.

"Trouble in paradise?" She asked. Damon rolled his eyes. "Mystic Falls it couple calling it quits?"

"What do you want, Katherine?" Damon repeated. Katherine smirked, stepping into the house.

"I'm just a girl looking for a partner in crime." Katherine replied. "Feel like hitting the road? Getting the hell out of dodge?"

Damon set his jaw. It was tempting. He had just killed Jace, his girlfriends best friend, and now his girlfriend was mad at him. What was keeping him in Mystic Falls anyway?

"Impeccable timing." Damon said. Katherine smiled, her expression a little shocked.

"Is that a yes?" She asked, arms crossed over her chest. "Won't pretty girl get upset that you are road tripping with me?"

Damon shrugged.

"She doesn't own me." Damon replied. "Where are we going?"

"Away from here. That's all I'm going to give you for right now." Katherine said. "But believe me...it's good."

She had Elena's necklace dangling in her hand. Damon eyed it before he walked out the door, shutting it behind him with a satisfied thump.