Review responses:

Only reviewer: Hell yeah she is! And Lexi would definitely approve of you using that term to describe the Bitch.

PennyBird: I feel she loves the Salvatores, but her own survival and amusement comes before that love, especially after how the years have broken and twisted her, as you said. And I'm glad the chapter give you a good insight into Sarah, especially in relation to her and when she first met Elena, even now to be honest. And yeah, I love Katherine ships too, but it's not looking like we'll have that here. I too am looking forward to no humanity Sarah.

And for the first time in a while, I've managed to get one whole episode into one whole chapter. And it's one of my favourite episodes in the show too, so glad to finally get to this one! So much happens here, the obvious being Caroline! Can't wait for you to see what I've done with her in this chapter. And some exciting stuff with Scarlett too, in regards to both Damon and Mason. I just really loved this chapter, hopefully you'll all enjoy it too. Let me know what your favourite moment was and why.

And quick thanks to everyone who's favourited and followed both this story and the first one. If you have the time, please do leave a review and let me know what you think, or PM if that's better for you. I just love hearing what you guys all have to say.

Chapter 4: Brave New World

The walk home had been filled with nothing but dread for Sarah. Once Katherine let her go, she'd thought she'd feel better. But how could she when she was being strong armed into spying on her family and friends. With each step she contemplated turning back around and running away, leaving it all behind and waiting two or three years before coming home to see what had happened. Katherine knew her too well though. She knew Sarah couldn't do that, couldn't leave her family. She had to stay with them. They were safer with her around, even if she was going to be lying to them for Katherine.

She tried not to think about. To just think about her brothers and seeing them again and how good it would feel to be back. But Katherine always found her way back into her thoughts. Even in her own damn head she couldn't keep Katherine away for long. She hated it, hated how easily she could get under her skin, play her like a violin and force her to do her bidding, even without compulsion. But she couldn't fight back. She'd tried and lost, and now she had to be a good little girl or her brother would pay for it.

The house came into view as she walked up the drive way, holding herself in case she had another break down. She wiped down her tear stained cheeks, rubbing her eyes when she felt new tears begin to prick. She couldn't let them see her like this. She had to stay strong, had to make it look like Katherine hadn't gotten to her. She had to play the role she'd been casted her as. The normal every day Salvatore sister. She couldn't let her brothers get suspicious of her, she couldn't risk their lives or anyone else's. She just had to buckle down and wait for Katherine to leave town again once she got whatever it was she was after.

The house now beginning to loom over her, Sarah could hear the familiar voices of her brothers from inside. It brought a smile to her face, even though they were arguing. "We've searched all the foreclosed houses and there's been no sign of her. So she's got to be hiding somewhere else," Stefan said from inside the old boarding house as Sarah approached the door.

"Doubtful. She's almost defiantly in a house somewhere. But we're looking for our sister, Stefan, not Katherine. Once we get her back we put this whole business behind us and move on."

"Alright then, so where would she keep Sarah?"

"My guess would be somewhere near our old house," Damon suggested. "Katherine likes to be poetic like that."

"Except we've already looked all around the ruins of our house and found nothing," Stefan argued, starting to get annoyed as he stood over the coffee table, which had a map laid out across it. Stefan on one side while Damon stood on the other with a bourbon in hand. Of course. His little sister was in danger, and what's he doing? What he always does. Drink. At least they were both actually trying to find her.

"Well you can cancel the search and rescue. I'm back," Sarah declared as she walked into the house, her brothers' heads shooting towards her as their faces filled with relief.

"Sarah," Damon said simply, though his heartfelt eyes said all he needed too.

"Are you alright?" Stefan asked as he strode over to her, pulling her into a tight embrace. It had been a long time since Sarah was this grateful for a hug.

"Yeah," she said as she held onto her brother, relief filling her as she reminded herself that this was reality and not another of Katherine's cruel tricks.

"What happened, where's Katherine?" Stefan asked as he pulled away, keeping his hands on his sister as he brushed her dirty hair from her face.

"I don't know. She messed with my mind. Made me relive some…bad memories. Kept me in a cave for a few days I guess. Then just let me go," Sarah explained as she looked up into her brother's forest green eyes.

"She just let you go?" Damon scoffed as his brow lowered, studying his sister closely. She could hardly blame him, it was suspicious. But she wasn't going to lie threw her teeth to please Katherine. She'd tell them the truth and do what Katherine wanted her too, but only the bare minimum. She wasn't going to lose this family all over again because of Katherine. She'd only just got it back.

"Yeah," Sarah replied to Damon, looking at him without anything in her eyes before looking back up to Stefan who had nothing but relief and concern in his. Where as Damon was being full on suspicious, and rightly so, Stefan was just glad to have Sarah back.

"Is there anything she said about why she's here. Did she give any indication what she's after?" Stefan asked carefully.

"No," Sarah said shaking her head before dropping it into her palm. "Look, I'm tired. Can we deal with twenty questions later, please," Sarah asked, letting out a groan as Stefan quickly began to nod.

"Yeah, of course. Do you need anything or-"

"Just my bed thanks, Stefan," Sarah said with a weak smile as she cut in. He smiled back and nodded, stepping aside and allowing Sarah to walk past him as she headed towards the stairs. She smiled that same smile at Damon, and he smiled softly back, before she climbed up the stairs to her room. Her room hadn't changed. The only thing she noticed was the note Katherine had left was gone. Probably found by her brothers after they realised she'd gone missing. Taken as evidence in their failed investigation to find her. She couldn't blame them, Katherine was smarter than all of them put together. She probably had them following fake leads the whole time, pointing them in the wrong direction while she played with Sarah. Thankfully that was behind her now.

Brushing her tangled her hair form her face, Sarah made her way into the bathroom. All she wanted now was what she'd wanted the night the Gilbert building caught on fire. To have a nice hot shower then crawl into bed for the rest of the day. She pulled her jacket off first, dropping it down onto the countertop surface. She spread her arms, one resting on either side of the sink. Looking at her reflection she could help but sigh. She tried not to think about how much worse it could get as she turned on the tap, letting hot water fall out. Leaning down she splashed her face, running her warm softened hands across her face, clearing away some of the dirt. It felt nice, relaxing. Almost allowing her to escape everything that was going on. Hopefully the combination of the shower and bed would be enough to put all this behind her.

She stood back up, looking at her clear face once more, only to jump when she saw who was standing beside her. She whirled, praying it was just her eyes playing tricks but it wasn't. Katherine was in her bathroom. Sarah backed up against the wall brining Katherine's devilish smirk out as her eyes honed in on her. She glanced over, seeing that the sink was still running before turning back to Sarah. "Don't worry, Sarah. I would never damage that pretty little face of yours," Katherine said reaching up until Sarah flinched away. Katherine sent her a mock look of hurt, before continuing regardless. Her grin returning as she slowly and carefully ran her hand against Sarah's softened cheek. Sending horrible sensations through out body.

"Wh-What do you want?" Sarah asked, after a nervous stutter gave away just how scared she was of the woman. She didn't want to risk going through another of Katherine's mind games. She wasn't sure her fragile mind could take much more. But at the same time she hated being so utterly afraid.

"Just coming to check up on you," Katherine said as she turned her back into the countertop, leaning back as her eyes remained on Sarah with an innocent smile. A smile Sarah knew all too well not to trust. "I heard some mean old vampire put you through quiet the ordeal." Sarah wanted to reply with a witty comment but she was frozen, terrified so badly that she couldn't even think while Katherine's eyes were on her. She tried to speak, to say anything but nothing would come out. Her throat was sealed, frozen as ice.

A light chuckle came from Katherine. "You're so cute when you're scared," Katherine teased as she began to play with her hair, twirling one of her long brown locks around her finger. Suddenly she grew serious, pushing off the counter and turning to face Sarah as she folded her arms. The amusement in her face faded away and a stone hard look of seriousness came into existence. "You remember our deal?" Despite how much she tried not too, Sarah nodded frantically in response. Her eyes silently begging Katherine not to hurt her or her family. "Good," Katherine said, a small grin returning. "Now, you better get ready for school. We wouldn't want you to miss out on anything juice, would we." Even if Sarah could object, she felt helpless as Katherine took her hand and lead her back into her bedroom. An outfit already layout on her bed for her.

Despite having already heard it all, Jeremy stood patiently, leaning against his locker as Stefan went over the basics of the supernatural world. Scarlett had gone through most of them with him already. When she'd revealed herself to him, she'd explained everything about her and he'd learnt the rest about vampires from Elena's diary. Still, it never hurt to go over the basics of how to protect yourself from a vampire. Especially with pure evil psychopaths like Damon out there. He was lucky Sarah had come home, otherwise Scarlett would have sank her teeth into him first chance she got.

"It's the same as the bracelet Elena gave you," Stefan explained as he handed over the small vial. One whiff told Scarlett it was vervain, a smell she'd gotten used to after being around Jeremy and Elena, both of who had vervain on there person. At least with the herb in liquid form, Jeremy's blood would taste horrible to vampires and they'd be unable to compel him.

"So what else does it do, bar protect me from compulsion?" Jeremy asked as he popped open the vial. Downing the contents in one gulp before looking back to Stefan.

"It's toxic to vampires," Scarlett chimed in as Jeremy looked to her. She was stood next to him, arms folded across her chest as she'd heard the same thing she'd already heard multiple times. At first the repetition of the rules had been helpful for learning them, but now hearing them over and over was beginning to drive Scarlett mad. But she had to make sure Jeremy knew them otherwise she'd never be able to leave him alone. Especially with Katherine and Damon out there, both of whom could get at him while he slept.

"Like poison?" Jeremy asked.

"Yeah, it's very poisonous, I can't even touch it. It'll also keeps them out of your head," Stefan added, watching Jeremy to make sure he was paying attention. Scarlett had been doing the same, but he had been listening, taking it all in again to make sure he knew how to protect himself against the supernatural.

"But why vervain?" Jeremy asked. Scarlett looked to Stefan at that question. She'd never thought to ask why herself. She'd just taken it as a fact and had seen the evidence herself when she helped save Stefan from the tomb vampires. She'd never bother to question it, but now that Jeremy had, she did find her curiosity growing.

"Don't know," Stefan said with a shrug. "Certain natural herbs and roots and other elements are just harmful to vampires."

"But not werewolves?" Jeremy asked as he pointed to Scarlett. She frowned at him before knocking his finger down playfully as he chuckled.

"Vervain does't effect her. And as far as we know there's isn't any herbs that weaken her," Stefan explained.

"It might have something to do with my mother's necklace," Scarlett suggested, looking down at the crystal around her neck as she begun to play with it.

"Maybe," Stefan said with a slow nod, before looking back to Jeremy. "So you think you've got it all?"

"Yeah," Jeremy said, eyes looking down as he murmured his response. Then he looked up to Stefan, a little smugness in his eyes. "You're pretty confident in yourself, telling me all the different ways I could kill you." Scarlett sent him a warning look and knocked his elbow with her own. The smugness quickly left his eyes when he saw the serious look she was giving him. Stefan was a good guy, unlike his brother. Proven by his friendly smile in the face of Jeremy's threat.

"Jeremy, if I thought you wanted to kill me, we would be having a much different conversation," Stefan said with a chuckle that Jeremy joined in on.

"Yeah," Jeremy admitted as he looked down. "And Damon is the one that deserves it."

"You got that right," Scarlett grumbled in agreement. She could see Stefan giving them both the concerned worried look, but she refused to look at his eyes. She was mad and she was going to stay that way, no matter what he had to say.

"I want you both to forget about Damon, all right? He's a hundred times stronger than you and right now he's not stable," Stefan explained as he leaned over to the two. His age showing as he spoke down to them both despite the fact that he appeared to be only a year older than them.

"I could take him," Scarlett growled, feeling the wolf inside her do the same as she looked up to meet Stefan's eyes.

"Maybe," Stefan said with a pointed look to the teenager. "But if you go looking for a fight with Damon, he'll find out what you are and that will put you in even more danger." He then turned on Jeremy, pointing at him as he spoke. "And if you go after him then she'll defiantly go after him, so don't," Stefan warned in his authoritative manor. Scarlett saw Jeremy deflate at that, the thought of his actions putting her in danger quickly putting out the fire inside of him. Scarlett wasn't as easily swayed. She was smart enough not to go right up to Damon and attack him, if she was going to take him out she'd be smart about it.

When Stefan's eyes moved back to Scarlett's, he knew that she hadn't deterred. He opened his mouth to warn Scarlett like he had Jeremy but she spoke first and shut him up. "He killed Jeremy. Don't ask me to forget that 'cause it ain't going to happen," Scarlett said with a glare to back up her words.

Stefan nodded in understanding. "I get that, I do. But you both just need to just move on from this and ignore Damon," Stefan said, eyes flicking between the two angry teens.

"And how do we do that?" Jeremy asked.

"Well, today we have a nice little distraction courtesy of the salve driver Elena. Hello, Elena," Stefan said as Elena came up to his side. He'd obvious sensed her coming as he turned just at the right time and managed to wrap his arm around her shoulders as she came into his side, eyes going to her brother. Scarlett should have smelt her coming, but she'd been to focused on her anger to notice. She was going to have to get control of that otherwise Katherine could walk right up to her as Elena and she might not even notice. To be safe though, she sniffed Elena now, confirming it was her before relaxing as Jeremy turned back to his locker.

"Hey, did you-" Elena began before Jeremy cut in, slamming his locker door shut as he hit his sister with a sarcastic glare.

"Yeah, yeah, I set up the gold fish toss - all three hundred gold fish. It's gonna be epic." And with that he slid out from in between Scarlett and Elena and proceeded to practically storm off down the hallway and around the corner. As he did Elena sighed, watching him go as she leaned back against the lockers and Stefan scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. Once he was out of sight, Elena then turned to Scarlett.

"How's he doing? After…you know…" Elena asked with an uncomfortable look to her brother's girlfriend.

Scarlett shrugged before saying, "I'm not sure. He doesn't really want to talk about. I think he's still in shock, sort of," Scarlett explained as Elena nodded. As Elena processed that, Scarlett moved on to Stefan who was facing the girl's once more. "How's Sarah doing?" Scarlett hadn't seen her since she got back. She'd been at the Gilbert's and had gone straight to school from there so hadn't been at home when Sarah returned. And so far she hadn't seen her around school, but she wanted to know how she was doing. Stefan had called her before he left for school, letting her know that Sarah was back and okay. Although considering what he told her, Scarlett doubted that Sarah was okay. Being trapped in a cave with the person she hated, and feared, the most was going to leave scars and open old ones.

Stefan looked down as he sighed before looking back up at the two who were waiting for him to answer. "She's more shaken up than she wants us to think. She doesn't want to talk about what happened and despite my objections, she's here when she should be home resting." Stefan sighed again, clearly upset about what had happened to his sister and wishing he'd done something to prevent it. But none of them had been able too. Katherine had known what she was doing and had anticipated everyones reactions to her arrival. But none of them were going to let her get the jump on them again.

"You're worried about her," Elena said knowingly and Stefan nodded.

"She was doing well, but now that Katherine's back she's just as dangerous as Damon." Stefan then looked over Scarlett pointedly. "That's why I really need you to just avoid Damon." Scarlett groaned, rolling her eyes as Stefan continued. "Do what ever you have to keep out of his way and just try not to aggravate him. I'm going to need you're help with Sarah and I can't have you losing it because of Damon–"

"Alright!" Scarlett snapped before calming down with a breath. "I get it. I'll keep myself in check around Damon… But only for Sarah."

"Thank you," Stefan said with a sincere smile before Scarlett walked off in the same direction as Jeremy.

Sarah had gone through a number of bad days at school. Everyone had them, it was just life. But this was different to all the rest. The feeling of constantly being watching, knowing that Katherine could be around any corner pretending to be Elena. Waiting to pull her out of sight and get back inside her head all over again. Playing another of her favourite games, torturing Sarah. Katherine never showed though, but Sarah could feel the vampire's cat like eyes on her the whole time. She kept away from her friends and Stefan for most of the day. She just needed a day were she didn't feel like the worst person on the planet for spying on them. Katherine would more than likely have something to say about that, but Sarah couldn't bring herself to do it. She couldn't even look at Stefan without running off in a blur and when Scarlett had tried to catch her at the end of the day she'd made a quick escape.

She'd gone through the town, making sure move between public places and side alleys, making it harder for Scarlett to follow if she was trying to. She knew Stefan wouldn't be tailing her. For one thing he knew Sarah could look after herself and hated to be babied when she didn't need it. Plus he had Elena to keep an eye on, protecting her from whatever Katherine was planning. Neither found her in any case, but Sarah found a lone girl taking the trash out to the side alley of one of the smaller shops. Her mood got the better of her and when the girl simply said 'hi,' Sarah snapped. She was on the girl faster before she could blink, fangs in her neck as she drank. She left behind a fair mess but the girl was still breathing and Sarah gave her some of her blood before compelling her to clean everything up and to forget her.

That's why when she walked in through the front door to the Salvatore house, both her brothers did a double take from the living room when they saw the amount of blood that stained her cloths. Another plus of the feed, she'd ruined the outfit Katherine had laid out for her. Her skin had been itching all day, knowing that Katherine had been through her cloths. She was going to have to burn them all and get something new. But for now she just wanted to get out the stupid slutty dress and back into her jeans and leather jacket.

"Trying a new look?" Damon asked with amusement as he raised his brow. Sarah shot him a sneery look, ignoring Stefan's concern as she walked into the room like she wasn't covered in blood. She wasn't about to tell them what had happened and risk getting Damon killed for spilling the beans on Katherine. As for the blood…

"What happened?" Stefan asked quickly, stepping towards Sarah as she sighed at his dramatic response.

"Relax, Stefan. It's just a little leftover from some girl," Sarah said. Stefan's concern quickly turned to irritation as he placed his hands on his hips. Sarah just ignored him though, looking down at her dress before running her finger across a blood smear and then sticking it in her mouth. "Hmm, B plus. Not bad," Sarah hummed in contempt, Damon smirking away as he sipped at his blood filled glass while Stefan glared at their sister.

"Why? Why would you do that?' Stefan asked, gesturing with one hand to the blood stains across his sister's front.

"Oh, God, Stefan. Don't give her the same speech you just give me," Damon said with a roll of the eyes as Sarah frown at him.

"What speech?" Sarah asked.

"Just that he's worried about us because of the whole Katherine thing. You know, how I was madly in love with her and she tortured you and all," Damon said with a shrug before taking another sip of the blood. Sarah knew that her brother was trying to start something, he was looking for amusement after what had happened with Katherine, how she'd broken his heart. She'd felt bad for him but was glad he was finally moving on from her. But when he hurt he tended to want others to hurt with him, he was an ass like that.

Turning to her other brother, Sarah saw him visibly tense as her eyes connected with his. He was worried that Damon was succeeding in making her angry. And while she wasn't happy, it wasn't because of Stefan. She knew he was only worried about them all, but she could do with out the criticism. "I'm fine, Stefan," Sarah said pointedly.

"See, Stefan, she's fine," Damon said with a dramatic gesture to his sister. "I'm fine," Damon said pointing to himself as both his siblings stared back at him. "We're all fine. So our little sister got a little peckish and grabbed some nobody to feed on. Who cares?"

"I care, Damon," Stefan said forcefully as he stepped towards his brother, pointing to his own chest as he did. "I care that our sister has been kidnapped and tortured by the person she fears most in this world. I care that you're hurting right now, despite the fact that you won't admit it." He slapped Damon on the chest as he said the last line but the older brother didn't waver, continuing to smile as Stefan spoke. "I care that when we're all finally getting along again, after all this time, Katherine is able to ruin it all in one night by pushing you and Sarah back into your old habits."

Damon waited a moment, eyes never leaving Stefan's as he passed on the most underwhelmed look he could form to his brother. "You done?" Stefan sighed angrily, shaking his head as he stalked back across the living room to his sister.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm done," Stefan sighed.

"Good. 'Cause I think the Lockwoods have a family secret," Damon began to explain as he leaned down on the back of the couch, crossing his arms as he eyed both his siblings. "Because the Gilbert device affected them, but vervain didn't, so they're not vampires, they're something else. Same goes for your little pet, Sis," Damon added as he rose a finger towards Sarah who felt her shoulders tense. Her eyes moved to Stefan who she shared a look with before looking back to Damon. She'd known he was onto Scarlett before Katherine showed back up. She'd hoped it would have passed but apparently with Katherine out the picture he had a new obsession in mind.

"So anything you'd like to share with us?" Damon asked, eyes narrowing on Sarah who felt the weight of his icy eyes settle in. Normally she could have shrugged it off with ease, but considering everything else she was dealing with at the moment, she wasn't sure if her brother's piercing look alone wouldn't break her. Thankfully, Stefan stepped up to her side and took on Damon's gaze, protecting Sarah from those cool blue eyes.

"Is this your new obsession? Or are you just trying mess with Sarah?" Stefan asked critically, a warning look to back up his words. Damon quickly held his hands up in defence, and rose up, stepping back from the couch.

"Hey, I'm just making sure nothing else happens to our delicate, little sister. Last thing I want is for our Scrappy to turn around and bite us on the-"

"We get it, Damon," Sarah cut in before her eldest brother could finish his rude remark, brining his eyes back over to her. "And no. There's nothing supernatural about Scarlett. She's human," Sarah said cooly, finding her stride in lying once more. "Remember, I compelled her before she started taking vervain. So she can't be a witch and if she was a vampire we would know by now. And if she's not one of them then she's got to be human."

"Unless she's something else," Damon said, chewing on his lower lip as his finger tapped against his glass.

"She's not," Stefan said sternly. "Now drop this so we can focus on the real problem. Katherine."

Damon rolled his eyes and began to head towards the archway that lead into the hall. "That's for you two to deal with. She's in love with both of you apparently and couldn't care less about me, meaning I'm safe," Damon said smugly as he left, drinking his blood as he did. Sarah watched him go, concern lining her brow as she did. He had no idea how wrong he was. If anything he was in more danger because Katherine didn't care about him. But she couldn't risk warning him and having Katherine pop out and kill him right then and there.

Once Damon was gone, Sarah turned to her other brother, seeing the same look of concern on his face too. Only his was because Damon might lose it again and kill someone. Sarah's was because her brother might be the one to die next.

Slamming the hammer down, Scarlett watched smugly as the puck flew up the poll colliding with the bell at the top, letting out a loud 'ding'. Louder than normal too thanks to Scarlett's enhanced strength. Perhaps a little to hard judging by the violent shaking of the structure. Any harder and she might have actually knocked the bell off. And she'd been holding back too. The charfavil worker made a comment about her strength for a short lady, but shut up when Scarlett turned his way. Her eyes alone enough to shut him up. She didn't bother taking the prize. What use did she have a for a gold fish anyway? She'd never wanted a pet. She got a long with animals just fine, particularly dogs, though since her first change she had a pretty good idea why.

Looking around she tried to find Jeremy who'd gone off to get popcorn for the two. She'd offered to go with him, splitting the price, but since Jeremy wanted to play "date" he said he'd pay and left Scarlett by the 'ring the bell' game. She'd been looking forward to doing it since she arrived and clearly he'd noticed. It was really just an excuse for her to show of her strength but she did have a soft spot for the game as it was one of her favourites when she was younger.

Jeremy wasn't in sight though. Scarlett spun around a few times, stepping away from the game to let another teen have a go. When she still couldn't spot him she took a subtle whiff of the air. She caught his scent easily enough and followed it through the crowd until she spotted him walking her way. He hadn't seen her yet but she wasn't surprised, considering who he was with. Damon. Who had his hand no the back of Jeremy's neck, physically holding him as they walked along. Scarlett frown, advancing towards the two as Damon lead her boyfriend off to the side before swiftly wrapping his arm around Jeremy's neck, holding him tightly as the boy struggled against him.

"This is what we're not gonna do," Damon hissed at Jeremy as Scarlett came up behind the two, their backs to her. "We're not gonna walk around like we are invincible when it's this easy for me to end you."

"Let him go," Scarlett growled warningly. Damon turned, pulling Jeremy with him as both men looked to her. Damon with a puzzled look and Jeremy with one that told her to leave. She couldn't understand why. If anything they had a better chance of kicking his ass together than apart.

Scarlett kept her glare level as she locked eyes with Damon, her arms folded like Sarah's in the 'I'm not taking any of your crap' way that Damon knew not to mess with. But seeing as this was the first time Scarlett had given it to him, she wasn't surprised when he began look her up and down skeptically. Despite that though, she held the look and stood firmly, waiting for the vampire to release Jeremy. Her patience would only last so long though, before she brought out her claws and pried Jeremy from him by force. Eventually though, he began to smirk and pushed Jeremy away like he was nothing. So there was no need to risk her secret.

"Looks like Scrappy's got balls," Damon teased as he advanced on the teen, his muscular figure looming over her.

"Looks like the wanna be bad ass vampire needs to bully kids to make himself feel better," Scarlett shot back with a mocking look. She felt her lips turn up smugly when she saw Damon's face drop to an irritated frown. "You already killed him once. Now leave him along or I'll do the same to you," Scarlett warned, doing her best to seem big despite his height over her. Intimidation wise it didn't do anything. Instead she got something she didn't want, a questioning look as Damon stared back.

"Whatever you say, Scrappy," Damon said as his grin returned, his eyes still scanning her and making the hairs on her neck rise up. Thankfully he didn't push her any further and walked off, not once looking back as Scarlett let out a breath, a single shake passing through her as she did. He was on to her, and he knew she knew it. She was going to have to have words with Sarah about this, Damon was starting to get to close for comfort and after what happened to Jeremy, Scarlett might not be able to hold back if he attacked.

"You alright," Scarlett asked, walking over to Jeremy once Damon vanished. She reached over, placing her hand on his shoulder before Jeremy sharply shook it off to her surprise. His eyes flicked up to hers, a glare in them as he half turned towards her.

"I had it under control. You didn't need to do that," Jeremy snapped.

"Sorry?' Scarlett replied in sarcastic astonishment, her arms once again folding as she stared back at her clearly mad boyfriend.

"I didn't need you to step in and save me. I've got this remember," Jeremy said as he held up his hand, the Gilbert ring around his finger. The ring that brought him back to life if he was killed by a supernatural. "Even if he did kill me I would just come back." At that careless statement, Scarlett whacked him on the arm with her fist. He winced, rubbing his shoulder as he staggered back slightly.

"This isn't a game, Jeremy. I saw Anna die, remember. Then, just twenty four hours later, I saw you die too. You have no idea what I was feeling and the fact that you came back was a miracle! Jeremy, I was this close for completely losing it," Scarlett explained angrily as she held up her hand, her fingers a millimetre or so away to emphasise her point. It apparently didn't get across as Jeremy just glared back at her, unmoved.

"I'm the one that died, Scarlett," Jeremy shot back as he stormed past her and back into the crowd. She was speechless. He had a point, he had been the one to die. But right there it seemed like he didn't even care about how it had made her feel. How it piled up with the loss of Anna, how her emotions where already running high after the night they'd shared together for the first time. To lose him after that had broke her. The only reason she'd been able to pull herself back up was because he too came back. It'd been traumatising for her too, and Elena, but Jeremy refused to acknowledge his sister's feeling even now, and now he was apparently doing the same to Scarlett. Because of his stupid masculinity.

Anger boiled inside her and Scarlett marched back into the crowd looking for Jeremy to give him a piece of her mind. Causing a scene no longer matter. She had anger in her system and needed to get it out, somehow. She caught hints of Jeremy's scent here and there but was in no mood to focus and track him. Her anger fuelled search took her into the main school building. There was no indication that Jeremy was in there but she went in all the same, storming through the hallways until she came across a crowd. With ease she shoved her way through the crowd finding at the centre a miniature ring set up around a table with two chairs. In one chair, sat Stefan, his arm propped up on the table and holding the hand of the man across from him. A man Scarlett recognised and quickly placed after seeing his charming smile. Mason Lockwood. A little old for a high school carnival, but then again, so was Stefan.

She made her way around the inside of the crowd, watching as the two pushed their hands against each other, arm wrestling for control. No surprise to Scarlett, she could see the effort Mason was using, fighting of the supernatural vampire strength Stefan had. Which is why it was even more surprising when Scarlett spotted the same effected on Stefan's face. She knew that he wasn't as strong as Damon and Sarah because of his diet but this was just bad. Even she could smack this guy silly, so why was Stefan struggling so much. Then suddenly 'whack!', the sound echoing around as Mason lifted his arms up in victory and Stefan held is defeated arm in his hand, rubbing his apparently sour muscles. The crowd began to cheer and Stefan slipped away, briefly making eye contact with Scarlett before he made his way through the crowd.

"Alright! Who's next?!" Mason called out with a competitive chuckle as the crowd continued to cheer him on. He looked around, panning the room until his eyes landed on Scarlett. Something in his eye changed on contact with hers. Before he'd held only mirth in those light brown eyes, but now there was an edge of seriousness to them as he stared back at Scarlett. "What about you?" he asked as the cheering crowd quieted, eyes landing on Scarlett.

Glancing around, Scarlett saw she wasn't going to be able to leave without causing a scene now. Several pairs of eyes where on her including Mason who didn't look like he wanted to hear the word "no". But seeing as she had some built up anger to get out and she was feeling competitive after the bell ringing game, she shrugged with a confident grin.

"Why not," Scarlett said as she stepped up to the homemade like wrestling ring and the crowd cheered. Even Mason was cheering enthusiastically as Scarlett hoped over the ring and stood opposite Mason, the table in between them. "I'll warn you now though, I'm strong for a girl," Scarlett said as she leaned her arm down on the table, ready to wrestle as Mason did the same, grasping her hand in his.

This time it wasn't his scent that set her mind whirling, but his touch. It was like when she'd first caught his scent but stronger. A sense of loyalty, that there was something she could relate to in him. That together when he was near she felt more secure, stronger and confident. Frowning slightly, Scarlett watched as Mason stared back, nothing but enjoyment and competitiveness in his face. Was he not feeling this too? Was it just her?

"I know plenty of strong women," Mason said with a smirk.

The bell then rang to start the match and all thoughts vanished from Scarlett as the instinct to win took over. Her lack of focus at the start cost her some ground as her arm jerked to one side under Mason's strength. But then her own strength kicked in and Mason's arm came to a stop. Surprise flickered across his face as he watched the movement before his eyes then flicked back to Scarlett as the crowd roared from all around them. Scarlett held his arm in place, refusing to lose ground but not pushing him down just yet. This was a chance for her to see what he was capable of, and considering he beat Stefan he had to have some strength. The pressure on her arm then increased as Mason put more effort into pushing her arm. In turn she increased her own effort to hold him back, now tapping into the supernatural. There was defiantly something up with Mason, but he wasn't like her, it wasn't the same level of strength.

"You weren't kidding were you…" Mason groaned, the effort clear in his voice as he tried to push his weight on her arm. "You really are strong…"

"Stronger than those other women?" Scarlett asked, her voice as casual as it would be even if they weren't arm wrestling. Mason chuckled at that, his eyes flicking between their arms and her eyes.

"Possibly," Mason said as his focus went back to the match. "But they would have beaten me by now."

"Oh, we're still arm wrestling, my bad," Scarlett said in mock shock as if she just remember. Then, kicking it up a gear, Scarlett let her strength flow out, no longer holding back as she forced Mason's arm back and down onto the table in one fluid motion. The crowd shouted and cheered as an astonished Mason stared at his defeated hand. Scarlett just grinned in victory as she pulled away from the table, letting her arms spread out as she took in the feeling of winning and the crowd's praise. Mason then looked up for his arm, staring at Scarlett for a moment before smiling back at her, the mirth once again in his eyes.

"Not bad…not bad," Mason said with a grin as he backed up in humble defeat. Scarlett chuckled back and shared a smile before she spotted who was standing behind Mason, beyond the crowd. Her face fell slightly when she saw Stefan and Damon staring back at her and Mason. Stefan would have been fine but she could see the gears turning in Damon's head as he watched her. Probably wondering how Stefan lost to Mason but Scarlett won. He turned to Stefan muttering something before then walking off. Stefan lingered though, sending Scarlett a disappointed look before turning and following Damon out the room.

After that Scarlett was encouraged to take on a few more competitors but her her heart just wasn't in it after being scolded with one look by Stefan. She could only imagine how annoyed Sarah was going to be when she found out, using her supernatural strength not only in front of everyone but in front of Damon who was already onto her as they all knew.

She won a few of the matches before lazily letting her final challenger win just so she could leave. Mason had stuck around and watched for a while, seeming more interested in her than Scarlett was comfortable with. Even after he left though, his strange and unique scent lingered in the air, enough so that Scarlett could follow. She had to know more about this guy. He presumably was like the Mayor, seeing as they were brothers, and had to be something as he was effected by the Gilbert device. So the real question on her mind was if Mason and the Mayor were like her, or something completely different.

Eventually she caught up to Mason, finding him in the parking lot outside the school. But before she'd even spotted him she caught the smell of adrenaline in the air. Then when she came into view she saw Tyler and Mason fighting some guy. He seemed to be primarily going for Tyler, shoving Mason aside as he tried to fight Tyler.

Scarlett thought about interfering but then she saw Mason get back up and leap onto the hood of nearby car. He flipped off the car and then jumped once more, flipping over the man attacking them before landing between him and Tyler. Tyler said something but Scarlett didn't catch it as she watched from the shadow of the school building. But then Mason turned and shoved the man away, knocking him to the ground. That was when Scarlett got a good look at his eyes. His golden eyes with black instead of white behind them. Eyes just like hers when she used her werewolf abilities or transformed. Eyes so unique he couldn't be anything else.

As all that sank in, Mason grabbed Tyler and dragged him over to his car before the two climbed in and raced off before the man attacking them could get back up. But Scarlett remained in the shadow of the building, staring off into space as she repayed the whole thing in her head again. Those same gold eyes shining in her mind. That was what she was getting off him, that was why the scent felt familiar and trust worthy and loyal. Because he was just like her. They were both werewolves.

Sarah was starting to think coming to the carnival hadn't been such a great idea. Stefan had talked her into it, claiming it would be good to get her mind off things. She'd seen his logic but upon arrival he'd quickly vanished off with Elena and Scarlett had arrived with Jeremy leaving Sarah all on her own. She'd seen Damon snooping around but hadn't bothered to talk to him. She wasn't really in the mood to deal with what ever he was up too at the moment. So she settled for roaming around, trying to keep her mind off everything that was going on.

It never happened. She couldn't turn a corner without jumping out her skin at the mere sight of someone with a similar hair style to Katherine. Even spotting Elena a few times made her turn and run the other way before the girl could spot her. She couldn't find it in her to participate in any of the games. It just didn't feel appropriate. She bought some snacks and ate but it only made her feel sick to the point that she didn't even want to have blood, fearing she'd just throw it back up.

She was on the edge of packing it in and going home but couldn't find anyone to tell. She figured she at least owed Stefan and Damon that, to tell them she was leaving so they didn't start panicking, not that they were paying much attention to her just now anyway. Sarah quickly shook off that thought. It was the lingering effect of Katherine, trying to pit her family against each other. It wouldn't work twice.

Eventually Sarah grew tired of wandering though and sat down on a bench, sighing as she leaned back. She could just wait here for her brothers to show up. One of them was bound to pass eventually and in the mean time she could try to relax. Let the surrounding noise distract her as she watched the people go by. Carefree and enjoying themselves, all oblivious to what was really going on in their town. They had no idea how lucky they were.

"You're so cute when you're thinking." Sarah shot to the other side of the bench and her head snapped to see Katherine sat beside her, arm perched on the back of the bench as she rested her head into the palm of her hand. Her amused grin present as always, she even chuckled when she saw Sarah's reaction. That wasn't going to change any time soon. "Maybe even cuter than when you're scared?"

"What do you want?" Sarah asked, her voice shaking much to her embarrassment. She knew Katherine had heard it, the sparkle in her eyes told her that.

"Just checking up on you," Katherine said with a casual shrug. "I felt bad for you, seeing you here. All on your lonesome."

"I'm not alone," Sarah bit back, folding her arms as she turned away from Katherine. Keeping her in the corner of her eye in case the older vampire made a move.

"Right," Katherine said sarcastically as she drew out the word. "That's why your brothers are…" Katherine made a show of looking around, frowning when she pretended to realise that neither Stefan or Damon were in sight. "Oh!" She then exclaimed, as if suddenly remembering. "That's right, they're off having their little meeting aren't they." That caught Sarah's attention as she turned back to Katherine, a line of confusing appearing on her forehead which once again amused Katherine.

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh," Katherine said sadly as she pushed up her lower lip. "Was little Sarah not invited. So sad," Katherine teased as she reached over, brushing Sarah's check before she could pull away. "Good thing you've got me," she said, her smirk returning.

"Invited to what?" Sarah demanded as she turned full on to face Katherine, needing to know what her brothers were up to. She needed to know why she wasn't involved. Were they on to her, did they know she'd caved and agreed to help Katherine? Had Katherine told them, just to mess with all their heads?

"Well, since those mean old brothers of yours haven't told you, I will. You remember Caroline right? Sweet, innocent, loud mouth, Caroline."

"What did you do?" Sarah asked. Katherine continued to smirk teasingly, twirling her brunette locks around her finger before letting them spring out of her grasp.

"I turned her," Katherine said, soaking up Sarah's shock with such delight it brought a smile to the old vampire's face. "And I need you to help her. She's going to be helping me too, she just doesn't know it yet. So I need you to keep an eye on her and keep her out of trouble, you know, show her the basics," Katherine said with a shrug like it was no big deal. But Sarah knew that was just Katherine, she didn't care about anyone or anything. All she cared about was what would benefit her. Meaning she'd turned Caroline for a reason and needed her for something. It couldn't have been just to mess with Stefan and Elena, otherwise she wouldn't need her to keep Caroline alive as a vampire. There was something else going on.

"What possible use could Caroline be to you? In case you haven't noticed, she's not the brightest," Sarah said steadily and Katherine quickly fixed her with a cunning look.

"Oh, Sarah. You're so obvious," Katherine said as she pinched Sarah's cheek before her light playfulness became darkly serious. "Now, find her. And get her under control." A quick smile and then she was on her feet, vanishing into the crowd around Sarah. Now what was she going to do. The others obviously knew about Caroline and would be trying to help her anyway. Playing along would keep them all safe but it would be playing right into Katherine's hand. But the only way Sarah could see to avoid that was to kill Caroline. Hopefully since she'd be killing Elena's friend, Katherine wouldn't retaliate and just turn someone else. At least it would buy her some more time to figure out what was going on. Plus, Sarah couldn't see Caroline surviving as a vampire. Heck she barely survived as a human. Sarah was doing her a favour by ending her life now, rather than let her murder several people and turn into a monster like her and her brothers.

With her mind made up, Sarah got to her feet and marched through the crowd in search of Caroline. When she caught the smell of blood, she began to follow. It was fresh and when a new vampire was around it was obvious what had happened. But she couldn't rip out Caroline's heart, it would be too painful for the girl and she didn't deserve to suffer just because she'd been pulled into Katherine's cruel game. After everything she'd been through, the least she deserved was a quick and painless death. And thankfully Sarah found a stake near one of the stalls, used to keep some part of the stall in place. They could live without it, Sarah needed it more.

The trail lead Sarah to the car park where she found Stefan and Damon facing off like aways. She really couldn't leave these two alone at all. Even when they were all supposed to be getting along and be on the same page, they were still fighting. Elena was behind Stefan and behind her was Caroline. Sarah tightened her grip around the stake she'd picked up. If she could get behind them she could finish Caroline nice and quickly. It was for the best, for everyone, Caroline included.

"Stefan, we've got to get her inside," Elena said. Sarah cringed from her view point behind the fence, if they went inside it'd only be harder for her to get at Caroline, particularly if Stefan was hovering around her.

"It's okay, Caroline, come with me," Stefan said as he stepped back, eyes remaining on Damon as he reached back to take Caroline's hand.

"She will die, it's only a matter of time," Damon said with a pointed look to his brother. He agreed with Sarah, but he'd never been one for dealing with newbies. Vicki was a recent example of that. He hated responsibility of any kind, and teaching a new vampire was like raising a child, frustrating as all hell.

"Yeah, maybe so, but it's not gonna happen tonight," Stefan said as he finally reached Caroline and began to lead her away.

"Oh yeah it is," Damon shot back before he made his move, grabbing a stake from the floor and racing over to Caroline. Sarah saw Stefan try to move but he was to slow in reacting as he'd turned away. But to her surprise Elena jumped out in front of Caroline, using her body to protect her. Damon froze, arm raised and stake inches from Elena's heart, having been about to kill Caroline. With the whole situation frozen as Damon and Elena stared back at each other, Sarah took her chance. She left the fence and within a second she was over to group, pulling Caroline from Stefan's grasp and racing her into the building, passing Bonnie who'd seen everything.

They were halfway down a corridor when Caroline managed to pry herself free and Sarah came to a stop. With her hand still on Caroline's the young blonde knocked it of with a fierce slap before fixing her furious and terrified eyes on Sarah. She was hardly threatened, she had years on Caroline and she didn't even fully understand what was happen, which was made even more obvious by what she did next.

Keeping her eyes locked with Sarah's, Caroline leaned towards her and Sarah watched as her blue eyes dilated. "Leave me alone!" Sarah groaned rolling her eyes as she grabbed Caroline once more, the blonde yelping as she did.

"Vampire lesson one-o-one," Sarah said as she shoved Caroline towards the wall of lockers, the blonde yelping again as her back hit the lockers with a clang. "Compulsion, that little mind control thing you do with your eyes. It does't work on other vampires, like me," Sarah explained as she advanced on Caroline. Fright having taking over as the primary emotion in Caroline. The young vampire tried to run but Sarah caught her with ease and shoved her against the lockers once more. With Sarah's arm pressing against her throat, Caroline tried to push her off but to no avail. "Second rule," Sarah continued. "Older means stronger. I've been a vampire for over a century. You've been one for a couple of hours."

Sarah then reached back with her free arm, retrieving the stake from behind her and lift it up, ready to plug it into Caroline's heart. Seeing the weapon, Caroline begun to fight harder, but she was still no match for Sarah's strength. Her stance was strong and her arm was pressed against Caroline's throat in such a way that her weight was pressing into Caroline as well, keeping her pinned to the lockers.

"Sarah!" Stefan shouted and Sarah saw him heading towards her. Out of time Sarah had no choice. She had to do it now, she couldn't risk letting her live. If she did Katherine was one step closer to whatever she was planning. She needed Caroline for something and Sarah couldn't let her use the girl the way she and Damon had. It wasn't fair on her and Sarah was going to put things right by ending it right now. At least this way she'd be free. And with one sorry look, she brought her arm down, Stefan's shouts of protest vanishing the second the stake broke through Caroline's chest. She gasped in pain, life leaving her. Stefan stopped a few feet away, no point in continuing now that Caroline had been killed.

"Rule three," Sarah said through a clenched jaw as she stared into Caroline's tearful blue eyes, knowing it was all over for her. So young, so innocent. Even with all the blood smeared over her face. "Wooden stake to the heart…it will kill you." She pulled the stake for Caroline, letting it fall to the ground as the wound just beneath Caroline's heart began to heal.

Stepping back, Sarah released her grip on Caroline, letting the blubbering girl sink to the floor as her back slide down the lockers. "She's all yours," Sarah muttered as she marched past Stefan, refusing to meet his eyes as he tried to grab her attention. She had nothing to say, to anyone right now. Her mind was racing and she couldn't think about talking to anyone. She'd been so sure about what she was doing, up until she actually went to kill Caroline. To be honest, she wasn't even sure why she hadn't gone through with it.

Walking up the driveway to the old house, Scarlett was lost in thought. The same thoughts swirling around her head ever since she saw Mason's eyes. It was strange. She'd never thought that much about others like her. Sure she'd entertained the idea that she wasn't some unique supernatural creature and that there were others like her out in the world. She just never really thought about finding them or meeting them. And now there was someone, something like her in Mystic Falls. It was strange, almost as if she could feel something inside her changing at Mason's mere presence in town.

Reaching the front door, Scarlett began to hear voices before realising they were coming from inside. Her mind had been so scattered that her hearing hadn't been able to pick up who was talking. As a matter of fact, someone could have been walking right beside her and she probably would have never even noticed. It was only when she opened the door she recognised the voices. It was Damon, no surprise there, and Jeremy. Scarlett had completely forgotten about him. She felt guilty for not having told him or gone to him immediately after seeing Mason, but she was still processing the entire night herself. He'd understand once she told him, but for now it seemed he'd had something else on his mind. Getting revenge on Damon. Easily surmised by the stake in his hand and the smell of fresh vervain in the air. It wasn't hard to guess his plan, but since Damon was still on his feet and he and Jeremy were facing off, Scarlett walked in silently. Neither noticing as she moved towards them, ready to leap in should anything go wrong.

"You came here to kill me?" Damon asked, eyeing Jeremy, though he hardly seemed threatened. Then again why would he, he had the age, the experience and the strength to kill Jeremy all over again. All Jeremy had was a was a badly crafted stake and a ring that would bring him back as long as Damon didn't rip it from his hand first.

"It's only fair. You killed me first," Jeremy replied half hearted, as if he didn't want to do it. Damon nodded respectfully, still eyeing the teenager before him.

"What made you wisen up?" Damon asked curiously. Scarlett relaxed at that. Whatever she'd missed had apparently involved Jeremy backing down despite still holding the stake. And while she would love to see Jeremy get Damon back for what he'd done, she knew for a fact he couldn't handle the vampire. He just didn't have any advantage or skills to deal with them. His only saving grace was the Gilbert ring that brought him back to life if a supernatural killed him. Otherwise he was just as weak as any other human.

"My father hated vampires, my uncle too. They were absolute. They knew exactly what they stood for and I figure maybe I should too. I mean, stand for something," Jeremy explained, all while Scarlett made her way to the archway that lead into the living room. "But killing you, what's that gonna do?" Jeremy shrugged before turning and smiling when he saw Scarlett watching him. She offered him a smile back and his own grew as he turned back to Damon. "I've got a good thing going right now. I'd rather not risk that over something I don't really want to do. You're a dick, and I don't like you. But you're letting Scarlett stay here… So I guess I can let this go."

Scarlett had to admit, she was a little moved and maybe even proud of how Jeremy was willing to give up his revenge quest just for her. He really did love her and even when she thought he couldn't prove it anymore, he did something like that. It was times like this, that she felt she didn't deserve him, but she was going to do her best to make this work, for both of them. Because they did need each other.

"Please, stop. You're going to make me hurl," Damon groaned. Scarlett shot him a glare, folding her arms angrily but Jeremy chuckled, seemingly amused by the older vampire. "So just to get this straight, you're forgiving me?" Damon asked, curiously as he stepped towards Jeremy.

"This time," Jeremy warned, though it hardly carried much weight with Damon. Scarlett knew the vampire well enough now to know he did what he wanted when he wanted. "And only if you continue to be good to Scarlett."

"Well, me and Scrappy have a special kind of relationship, right Scrapper?" Damon asked with a sarcastic wink over to the glaring teenage girl.

"Go to hell," Scarlett bit back.

"You see what I mean," Damon said with a smirk, trying and failing to rile Jeremy up. He just chuckled and shook his head as he stepped back from Damon, who's blue eyes followed Jeremy with a hint of surprise and curiosity. Could he actually be beginning to respect him? Scarlett doubted it but then she didn't have any other reason for the look he was giving her boyfriend.

"I'm going to go so I'll see you later?" Jeremy asked as he approached Scarlett.

"You bet," Scarlett said before they kissed goodbye.

"Try to be nice to him," Jeremy said with a mild pleading look.

Scarlett shot a glare over to Damon before answering Jeremy with, "I'd have a better chance of drowning a fish." Jeremy chuckled once more before planting a kiss to her forehead and then walking out, leaving Scarlett's glare to intensify once the door slammed shut. Damon just smirked, as if it was nothing knew to him. If only he knew what fire he was dealing with, he really would be scared off her.

"You know, I see why the kid likes you," Damon said as he pointed a wagging finger at Scarlett, leaning back against the couch before folding his arms. Scarlett didn't take the bait. She just continued to glare heatedly, waiting to see what he tried next so that she could understand what he was after. As Sarah had explained to her, Damon was always after something. "I mean, not every girl can win an arm wrestle against Mason Lockwood. In fact, my own brother couldn't compete with his strength. And as we both know, Stefan is no mere mortal… Some might even say, he's supernatural." He watched Scarlett, waiting for her to give him any sigh of worry or concern. But her face was set in the continuous heated glare she sent him.

"I guess I'm just stronger than you give me credit for, Twilight," Scarlett said, smugness seeping into her voice. A further grin forming when she caught the irritation fall across Damon's face. "And just so we're clear." Scarlett continued as she stepped towards the vampire. "Jeremy may have forgiven you, but I haven't. And the only reason I haven't tried anything yet is because of Sarah. So if I were you I'd watch my back, because the second Sarah changes her mind about you, even for a second…I'll be coming for you," Scarlett growled before turning and leaving with Damon's glare eyes following her all the way out.

With a drink in her hand, Sarah watched as the flames preformed for her in the fireplace. She could be so easily entranced by them when she let go, allowing them to hypnotise her and let the world fall away. She needed it after a day like today. She'd come close to killing Caroline, someone she actually liked, and all to get back at Katherine. Thankfully common sense had broken through right before she killed her and she'd stopped herself. If she had killed her, Katherine would have just turned someone else anyway.

Sarah only finally snapped out her trance when she heard footsteps enter the study. She took a sip of her drink, letting whoever it was walk around the couch before sitting down next to her. She didn't turn her head, but from the lack of lip and side way view of a male figure, Sarah was able to work out who it was.

"Do you mind if I ask you something?" Stefan asked as he placed the tips of his fingers together. He turned to face his sister, who continued drinking. Once she'd had enough, Sarah lowered the glass, resting the base on her folded legs, eyes never leaving the fire.

"Free country," Sarah replied carelessly, swinging her leg back and forth slowly to keep her mind active. She was listening to him, but her outward expression and body language probably said something different. Or maybe it was conveying how she really felt, cold and hollow, just like the emotionless monster she was supposed to be. But then why hadn't she offed Caroline, if that was what she really was? Because she was a still human despite what she was, still had her humanity, still felt everything. And she would forever now, thanks to Lexi.

"Why did you want to kill Caroline?" Stefan asked, eyeing his sister. Still Sarah didn't look at him. She contemplated lying to him, saying she never planned on killing the now young vampire and it'd all been for show. But he knew her and probably had seen enough to know she'd only changed her mind at the last second. He'd seen her kill plenty as she had seen him.

"Katherine turned her. She more than likely has a reason for doing so. I wanted to stop her."

Sarah went for another drink as Stefan mulled over her words. Looking off out the window before his eyes flicked back over to Sarah and he asked, "Why didn't you kill her then?" He knew how much she hated Katherine, knew the lengths she'd go to to stop her. It was a fair question. And to be honest Sarah wasn't too sure about her answer herself. It kept changing in her head, but two particular reasons kept coming into her mind.

"I…saw something in her," Sarah said with a small smile as she finally looked into Stefan's eyes, the same eyes she had. Only his were currently confused and in need of answers while hers were serine and maybe even a little relieved. "I don't know if it was a reflection of me or…"

"Or what?" Stefan asked, leaning towards Sarah when she took to long in answer. Sarah's eyes briefly flickered down but then climbed back up to Stefan's as her smile grew slightly. Enough so that Stefan could notice with just a mild glance.

"She kind of reminds me of Lexi." Stefan smiled at that, letting out a little chuckle as he placed his hand on Sarah's knee. She couldn't be sure, not without asking, and right now she didn't want too, but Sarah was sensing Stefan felt the same. Maybe he'd seen it before Caroline turned or maybe he'd seen it like Sarah, after she turned. Or perhaps he hadn't seen it at all and he just liked hearing Lexi's name again. But there was something about Caroline Forbes that Sarah would have to look out for in the future.

"In that case. Maybe you would like to help me. Train her that is," Stefan suggested with a fond smile at the idea.

Sarah raised her brow in scepticism as she stared back at her brother. "You sure that's a good idea? Last time you and I tried to help a newbie vampire, it didn't end so well." Stefan bowed his head in acknowledgement, a grimace crossing his face before he rose back up.

"True. But this is Caroline, not Vicki. And I'm confident together we can help her get through this."

Staring back at her brother for a moment, Sarah took in his words before sighing with a hopeful smile and agreeing. "Alright, you've got yourself a deal, Brother."

"Thank you, Sarah," Stefan said before he stood up.

"Where are you off to then?" Sarah asked with a curious and playful look as she swirled the last of her drink around her glass.

"I'm meeting up with Elena. I'm…taking her back to the fair, to give her something normal."

"Good luck with that," Sarah said as she raised her glass. Stefan smiled back, shaking his head as he walked off.

"Don't wait up," he called over his shoulder before his footsteps began to fade and Sarah heard the front door open and close. Listening around the house, Sarah could hear Damon heading up to his room and Scarlett grumbling to herself about Damon being an ass. Peaceful for the Salvatore household. And just what Sarah needed after the last few days she'd had. Just one moment where she could push everything aside and relax, like Stefan and Elena were doing.

"Drinking alone really doesn't suit you." Sarah's daydreaming eyes flicked from half closed to fully awake as the voice of the devil sent shivers down her spine, freezing her in place until she could be sure it wasn't all just in her head. "Mind if I pour myself a drink?" Katherine didn't bother waiting for Sarah's answer, not that she would have given one. She was still trying to decide whether or not she was imagining the vampire, even though she could hear not only her voice but her movements. The clicking off her heels, the moving of the glass, the click as the empty glass connected with the bottle of liquor followed by the splashing of liquid as the alcohol was poured. It wasn't until Sarah saw Katherine enter her peripheral and sit down in the nearby armchair, that she finally acknowledged the superior vampire and turned to face her.

Katherine didn't seem to care much for Sarah reaction. Apparently she'd had enough fun from Sarah's reactions and was now acting like a bored child watching one of their favourite TV shows, just waiting for the opening credits to hurry up and end so they could get back to the show. Patiently Katherine drank from her glass before looking over and grinning when she saw Sarah had decided she was in reality.

Lowering the glass to her leg, the older vampire started to chuckle as she brushed aside her brunette locks with her free hand. Eyeing Sarah the way she always did. "I must say Sarah, I'm glad you didn't kill Caroline. Don't get me wrong, it wouldn't have stopped me in the slightest. But things are going to be so much more fun with her around." The light chuckle that followed made the hairs on Sarah's neck not only stand up, but want to jump right out and run like hell.

"Though I will admit," Katherine continued, swirling the drink around the glass as Sarah had. Watching the dark liquid swirl around and around forming a small vortex in the glass. It almost seemed like she was being entranced by it, but Sarah knew that Katherine never lost focus. She just gave a very good impression that she had. "I'm curious as to why you spared her." Her eyes shot towards Sarah, a knowing look following that got right under her skin. "Considering you're supposed to hate me and all. And since I'm using her, surely it would have made more sense to kill her than keep her alive?"

Sarah glared back at the devil for a moment before finally answering. "Like I told Stefan. I spared her because I saw something in her." Katherine hummed in consideration before a smirk formed and she began to shake her head in denial.

"No. I don't think so." She paused, taking a large sip of her drink before setting the glass down on the side table. "I think," Katherine continued as she stood up. Her heels acting like hammers as she slowly stepped towards Sarah, knocking in each point she made with an all mights smash. "You didn't see anything at all. I think you were going to kill Caroline until you realised something, deep inside of you." Sarah stared back, watching as Katherine began to loom over her, doing her best to keep her face neutral. "You knew I needed Caroline and it's for that reason you spared her."

"No," Sarah cut in, but Katherine continued regardless.

"Because despite everything that you say, and how you act, you still want me to succeed."

"No."

"That's why you spared Caroline. That's why you help me. And the reason for all this, is because you know that no matter how hard you try, and how much you wish it wasn't true, the fact is, you still have feelings for me."

"NO!" Sarah roared as she threw her glass towards Katherine. The remaining alcohol flew from the glass and Katherine caught it with ease. It had been an obvious attack, Sarah could tell that even in her enraged state. But it took up one of Katherine hands leaving her ever so slightly venerable. Then with her vampire speed, Sarah reached into the couch cushions and pulled out a stake. She rushed Katherine but once she got in rage she found the glass she'd thrown at Katherine, shoved into her face. Sarah groaned as glass shards tore and pricked against her skin. Dazed and off balance, there was nothing she could do as Katherine sped behind her and twisted her arm behind her back, the stake falling from her grasp. With her amused laughter filling Sarah's ears, Katherine swiftly brought her to her knees. Kicking both legs from behind before Sarah landed on her on them and her arm, glass once again pricking her hands and knees. Sarah bit down on her lip, forcing down the pain as she groaned.

"I know the truth hurts, Sarah. But believe me, it's only going to get worse from here on in." The joyfulness in Katherine's voice only mad Sarah groan in anger more. She hated how powerless she was and how she was nothing but a play thing to Katherine. After all this time she thought she'd gotten stronger that she'd be able to fight off her demons and win. If the last few days had proven anything, it was that she was dead wrong. She was just as helpless now as she was back in 1864, and Katherine was just as powerful.

"Now remember, keep an eye on Caroline for me," Katherine said as she leaned forward, her lips brushing Sarah's ear before she applied more pressure to Sarah's arm, twisting until Sarah final screamed in pain. "I'll be in touch," Katherine said in satisfaction before shoving Sarah forward. Feeling her arm being released from Katherine's grasp, Sarah didn't miss a beat. She threw her arm out and caught the fallen stake that had rolled forward. Then with her enhanced speed she shot back up, spinning around to face Katherine, only to find she was gone. Sarah's eyes shot form side to side and when Katherine was no where in sight she began to turn around and around, but still nothing. When it finally clicked that Katherine was gone, Sarah screamed in frustration before throwing the stake with furious force towards the wall where it was firmly embedded.