Elena was dreaming. Damon saw the images clear as day. Stefan had laid her softly on the bed, and was not leaving her side. Damon let himself out. He stood on the balcony as he had seen Elena do many times. What he felt tonight was….he couldn't describe it. He looked over the city, knowing Katherine was out there. His thoughts darkened. She had thrown him out the window first. She must have known that it wouldn't kill him. But she hadn't known that Elena was full of vampire blood. He wondered when she would show herself again. What was in store for them all this time? Damon smiled to himself. She may have gotten the better of him, but he knew he was stronger than her. The thought made him want to laugh. He had sensed it. She was strong. She still had the white mist. But he had felt how young she was. He had 5 centuries of killing over her this time. And the victims he had chosen as of late he had killed every one of them, so he had grown stronger with every life force he took. He looked over his shoulder as his brother came out to join him.

"You gave her blood." Stefan asked him. Damon nodded.

"Yes, I gave her blood. She asked me to. Why? Does that upset you brother?" Damon's mood was dark.

"Last time, she slept for 4 days." came Stefan's reply. "But I think she'll be awake tomorrow." Damon just nodded.

"Her body would have been making the change when Katherine turned up. She was almost asleep at that point. She had enough blood this time. And 5 humans donated blood. She will be much stronger than she was last time."

Damon went back to staring at the city lights. He could feel Elena's Power building. She hadn't had that much power in Fells church. But her strength had made up for it. Stefan just stood beside him, his dark mood mirroring Damon's mood. Damon focused again on Katherine. He made a promise to his brother.

"Elena wont die this time." he said, and felt Stefan's eyes on him. He turned to face his brother. "She paid the price protecting us and other's from Katherine's Power. This time, I will find Katherine, and I will finish her off. Elena's now been killed twice by Katherine. I promise you both that it will end." But he didn't want to hear Stefan's reply. He stood on the railing, and took on the crow form. be seeing you. He said as he flew into the darkness.

Stefan watched his brother fly away and turned to the room. His brother was probably off risking his life. He had just promised to "take care" of Katherine. Stefan only hoped he wouldn't get himself killed. He lay on his back on the bed next to Elena and stared at the ceiling. How had Katherine been able to enter? Bonnie and Meredith had been staying here for the last couple of months. Elena would have told him if she had seen Katherine. He sat up and heading to Bonnie's room, where she was staring at the blank TV, trying not to fall sleep. She looked up as he entered.

"You haven't invited anyone in have you?" He asked. She shook her head. Stefan ground his teeth. "could it be possible that another human has been in here?"

"Alaric." said Meredith from behind him. He turned to face Meredith. Alaric was standing behind her. He wasn't looking too good.

"Excuse me?" He asked.

"Alaric invited her in 3 days ago, when he arrived." Meredith said calmly. "He thought she was Elena. She said she had forgotten her keys. So let her in. When he turned around to congratulate her on the wedding, she was simply gone. He didn't actually see Elena until later that day, by then he had forgotten about the incident." Stefan clenched his jaw. Of course! Alaric had not seen Katherine. None of them had. Any one of them could have invited her. Then he shook his head. Meredith and Bonnie knew Elena. They wouldn't have made the same mistake. He pushed past Meredith and Alaric and went to the door. Now what? He thought, looking at the door frame. The invitation was permanent now. He felt Alaric behind him.

"I can't protect her." He said softly. Alaric frowned.

"But you can live at the Estate…."

"THAT'S WHERE IT ALL STARTED!" He shouted, his anger flaring up. "HER INVITATION TO THAT PLACE WAS MADE 500 YEARS AGO!" Bonnie, Matt Caroline and Meredith came to see what was going on. Stefan felt tears of frustration welling up. "She's got an invitation to our new home before we even move into it." He whispered. "And besides, Elena's not human. A dwelling needs to have a human sleeping there for an invitation to be needed." He walked over to the couch and sat down, head in hands. "There haven't been humans in that place for 500 years."

Bonnie knelt in front of him. "Hire a gardener or something. From what I hear, it has a pretty big garden." Stefan met her eyes.

"But the invitation…." he began.

"Was 500 years ago. She's died and come back since then. Maybe she needs a new one?" bonnie shrugged.

"Maybe." He said. He certainly hoped so.