Damon wanted to feel something. Anything. He tried to hold on to the memory of the days that he loved Katherine - since it was the last person he remembered that still invoked some sort of affective memory, but even that he didn't remember very well. He remembered her all right, but he didn't remember how he felt in the 145 years that he was head over heels for her. She was just an acquaintance. Someone he used to know. But he still held on to her since the only thing that made him actually feel something in a very long time was the touch of her hand against his face. But again, it didn't feel like it was Katherine at all, and he didn't know how.

That's why as much as he wanted to feel something, he could only feel a suffocating emptiness. As much as he wanted more than anything for this to go away, he thought that at least he was still capable of feeling anguish. He couldn't imagine whether it would be better to stop feeling this pain or not. Was this better than nothing at all? He couldn't get to a conclusion.

He couldn't even think straight. It is not like when you have your humanity turned off - that your thoughts are precisely rational. Now it seemed that his mind was immersed in a fog and he couldn't even think straight.

He dialed Katherine's number doubting she would even pick up - she didn't. She probably changed her phone number by now, as she usually did. But he kept listening. He just needed to hear her voice, and he didn't even know why. It just reminded him of something, of someone. Yet, the thought of Katherine herself didn't make him feel a thing. Not even kissing worked. But her voice made him feel something and it made, even for a few seconds, the feeling of anguish to subside a little.

Stefan was sitting in his couch thinking of the best way to tell Caroline Katherine was alive and back to Mystic Falls. Even though she was a human teenager, she was still Katherine, for God's sake, and he wouldn't make the mistake of underestimating her again, since even in her death bed she managed to fuck them up.

Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his front door. He stood up promptly and walked to the door, wondering who it could be - he hoped it wasn't any surprised as the one of yesterday. He looked through the peephole, and saw Matt Donovan's fiancee, Penny Ares. It was really a person he didn't expect to see, since Matt had broken ties with the supernatural - specially him and Damon - wanting to finally live a normal life. Stefan had been introduced to her once, when Matt announced his engagement to his old friends.

-Hey. - he said opening the door.

- Stefan. - she said looking at him. - I have a message.

- A message? - he said, confused.

- From Damon. - she said. - If you come after him, Lizzie and Josie are next. - she said and a second later she took a knife and stabbed herself in the heart. He ran up to her as fast as he could, taking her body into his hands and trying to feed her his blood, trying to save her.

- Penny. - he screamed. - Come on. Drink it. - But even himself knew it was useless. She stabbed herself right in the heart - there was no way she would still be alive. He was shocked with the sudden death, as well as with the message. Another innocent human was dead. Matt's love. The guy had just lost his best friend, his brother. He wouldn't be able to handle with this pain. There was just so much someone could take.

But Stefan couldn't deny that what had scared him the most was the message. He wanted to save Damon, Caroline too - he was the one who was helping him the most. How could they put Lizzie and Josie's life at risk. He knew Damon wouldn't hesitate to kill the little girls.

Stefan ran into Caroline's house to tell her what just happened. He, somehow, couldn't find in himself the strength to call Matt right away. He remembered what was like to loose your love. It wasn't something one ever get over with. He remembered loosing his first love, Katherine, thinking she was dead - he couldn't bear such pain. It broke him good. And then, Elena. Thinking she was dead was the end of him. It was pure darkness and he couldn't face telling Matt that. Not right now.

Stefan told it to Caroline, who looked just as shaken. God. Matt wouldn't ever be able to get thru this. They were to get married in a month. She was his do over, his hope, his chance of happiness when he imagined it was all death and darkness. And now… She was gone. 24 years old and dead. It was becoming way to hard to accept all of this town's disgrace.

But more than heartbroken for Penny and Matt, Caroline was horrified, she feared for her daughters' lives. She had to help Damon, but she couldn't risk loosing Lizzie and Josie. She felt tears streaming down her face. She always knew that - as a result of all the supernatural drama, her daughters could be at more risk than usual, but she had never seen a direct threat. It was It was just devastating.

- There's more. - Stefan said. - Katherine is back

- What? - Caroline said, completely astonished.

- She came back right from the dead saying she wants to help Damon. - he gave a sarcastic smile.

- As if. - Caroline said. - Find out why she is really back in town, please. The last thing we need is her playing us right now.

- For the last time, I am here to help. - she said, already annoyed with this repetitive little questioning of his. - And you should take as much help as you can right now. - she got closer to him and looked directly into his eyes. - I am your side. Is it so hard to believe?

-I'm not used you being on my side, thats all. - he said. Sometimes, it seemed like somehow cared for him, in her own twisted ways. Once, she saved Damon and by doing so, she gave up her chance of finally killing Klaus. Another time, she helped him with his PTSD. But even though she showed up now and then, she always prioritized herself. She affirmed he was her one true love, but not once did he saw her putting his well being above her own. If she could help him without risking herself, she maybe would - If she felt like doing so. When she had the first chance of having a better deal or felt that she was putting herself in danger, she ran off. That's exactly what she did back in 1864 and also when she teamed up with him and Damon when Klaus was after Elena for the sacrifice and backstabbed them just to team up with Isobel when that deal seemed better. She was her ultimate priority. That's why he couldn't understand her behavior right now, risking herself to save no one other than Damon, who tortured her in her death bed. It seemed like a typical situation where they would once again trust her, just to be once again proved wrong.

-I never did anything to risk your life. - she finally said.

-But you threatened and hurt the people I love so many times I've lost track.

-I did what I had to do to survive. I'm here now, aren't I? -she didn't seen at all to be unsettled by his words. It looked like she genuinely believed that all that she did was excusable.

-Yeah….Until you decide you're not anymore. Your problem, Katherine, is that you are where it suits you better. You are completely unreliable. - he said. - I hope you realize my brother's life is a serious issue, and we are all loosing time and resources to go thru with this plan of yours. If you decide in the last minute that you are out, I will never forgive you.

-Otherwise you will? - he couldn't believe that was what she decided to absorve from all he had said to her.