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Bornkiller9: I will always appreciate you taking the time to leave a supportive review, no matter what, and thank you as always! Now for the Big Finally...before the other big finally!

Chapter 43: Save Who You Can

Stood downstairs in the basement alongside Jeremy, Scarlett watched as Bonnie performed her spell. The spell which in theory was going to save Elena without her having to become a vampire.

As she worked, Scarlett felt Jeremy take her hand, squeezing it tight. She squeezed back, knowing how hard this had to be for him. Thanks to the Gilbert journals that John had brought to them, Bonnie had finally worked out how to perform the spell. But it came with a cost. And that cost was John's life. In order to perform the spell, Bonnie had to transfer John's life force into Elena upon her death.

But even then, they weren't one hundred precent sure on how this was going to work. When the spell had been originally used, as described in the Gilbert journal, it had been to save a dying daughter. Not someone who'd died with vampire blood in their system. But it was a chance, and John had been adamant about it, regardless of how it would end for him. All he wanted was to try and give Elena a chance at a human life.

Scarlett had to admit, she'd been impressed. Almost moved. She probably would have been had he not been such a jackass to her the entire time she knew him. And just because she was a werewolf.

At the same time though, she understood now that it had been coming from a place of love. Love for his daughter and nephew.

That said, she wasn't going to forgive him, even on his death bed.

During the spell, Damon came down, declaring that everyone else was ready and that they had to get going. Jeremy told him Bonnie still had to finish the spell, gesturing to her with her hands held out on either side of John's head, as he sat in a chair before her. At which Damon rolled his eyes and began to pace, nervously scratching himself and almost on the verge of sweating.

It was unusual, Scarlett thought, but after finding out about Stefan's plan to trade himself for Jenna, she could understand. But even then, he'd been acting erratic and touchy ever since he arrived – even going as far as to punch a hole in the wall upstairs. And it probably wasn't helping that he, and everyone else, had no idea where Sarah was. As far as they could work out, Damon had been the last person to see her before she'd took off on her own after finding out about Jenna's involvement in the sacrifice. Since then no one had managed to get in touch with her and like the others, Scarlett was starting to worry herself.

She couldn't imagine Sarah abandoning them. But then she might have tried something on her own, something that might have gotten her killed. The more she thought about it, the more she worried. At the same time though, she remained hopeful that Sarah would come through, she always had before. She just had to make sure she helped with her side of things, so that when Sarah arrived, everything would be ready.

Her thoughts on Sarah snapped along with Damon's fingers, as he said aloud, "Come on, Bonnie, we got a hybrid to kill."

"Just give her a moment," Jeremy said quietly, trying to keep him from distracting Bonnie.

Damon glared back, about to say something when Bonnie stopped chanting. She opened her eyes, looking at them all looking back at her. "It's done," she said.

"That's it?" Damon asked. Bonnie nodded back. "Let's go," he said, turning to jog up the stairs.

After making sure John had recovered from the spell, Bonnie went to follow. But before Scarlett could, she turned back to Jeremy – her hand still in his – and said, "We'll be back soon."

Her free hand found its way up onto his face, but was then pushed aside as Jeremy frowned. "Wait, what? No. No, I'm coming. I need to be there. I need to make sure Elena and Jenna are okay," Jeremy protested, at which Bonnie stopped in her own stride nearby. Her focus on Jeremy.

"Jeremy…" Scarlett began to say.

"No, no more of this, 'trying to protect me,' crap. All right, we've been over this, I have my ring. And I have what you've been teaching me, I'll be fine, and I'm not taking no for an answer." Scarlett knew he wouldn't. There was too much at stake and she completely understood.

She smiled softly up at him, turning his head slightly as she kissed him on the cheek. She felt bad, but she couldn't let him get involved in this. It was just to risky, even for her. But she'd promised to herself that she would save Jeremy's family, even at the cost of her own life. But for her to do that she couldn't be worrying about him. And if she was going to die, she had to know that he would at least be safe.

"I know," Scarlett whispered into his ear, her arms going around him as they hugged one another. "And I'm sorry. But that's why I asked Bonnie to do this."

Jeremy pushed her back in front of him, seeing the sadness and discomfort in her eyes. This was hard for her, after trying so hard to win him back, it was painful to take this step backwards. But it would be worth it, Scarlett knew it. Worth it for him, even if it ruined her.

"Do wha…" Before he could finish he was unconscious, falling back as his fingers lost their grip on Scarlett. She went to grab him but he was still falling backwards, when John quickly stepped in behind to catch him.

"I got him, I got him," John said assuringly, as he began dragging Jeremy back over to the chair he'd vacated. He got him settled and then looked back up to the two girls staring back at him and Jeremy. "Just go. I'll stay with him," John said, waving them both off.

Bonnie nodded, turning to go up the stairs, but once again Scarlett lingered. Watching Jeremy in his unconscious state, as she felt the guilt of having betrayed him again sink in.

She knew there'd come a point when he'd be done with her.

"Hey," John spoke up, catching her attention. "You did the right thing here."

"Like your opinion means anything to me," Scarlett spat back, turning to leave.

"Scarlett…I'm sorry." John said, causing her to pause in her step. "I was only ever trying to look out for Jeremy. But now I realise…you were just trying to protect him too. Because you loved him."

Looking back with a vulnerable look in her eye, Scarlett replied, "I'll always love him. And I'll always protect him… Even if we're not together." And she meant it, before she then turned away, with Jeremy's peaceful face lingering in her mind, as she ran up the stairs to join the others.

"Great, now that we're done with sob speeches, we can go," muttered Damon as he lead the march out. Scarlett remained silent, somber as she fell into step alongside Bonnie, both walking out with the Originals and Alaric right behind them.

"I've got weapons in the car," Alaric explained from the back.

"Bonnie's the only weapon we need. Amelia and I shall deal with the rest," assured Elijah as he and Amelia walked out, Alaric about to follow them when he hit an invisible wall.

He tried to exit the house again, but hit the same problem. He looked around frantically, pressing his hands up against the wall before realising what it was. "Bonnie," he snapped, as the five supernaturals outside turned back to look at him. Each with their own degree of sorrow.

"What is this?" demanded Alaric.

"I can't put anyone else at risk."

"I can't stay here with Jenna out there!" exclaimed Alaric.

"I'm sorry," was all Bonnie could say.

"You can't do this! Damon?" he asked, turning to his friend for help.

"Sorry, buddy. She's right," he said, before walking off with the others in toe.

"No! You can't do this. Bonnie! Bonnie!" Alaric shouted after them, as he futilely slammed his fists against the wall keeping him in.

"Quite the predicament," announced Klaus as he and Stefan arrived back down at the ritual site. "You know, it's funny, all this talk about preserving family, and here's Stefan, granting your wish," Klaus said in amusement, gesturing to Stefan as the two came to a stop before Elena's flaming circle.

"Stefan…" Elena said sadly, having heard from Jenna what he was planing to do.

"It's okay," Stefan assured her, having accept his fate as he stood willingly between Klaus and Elena. Nothing about him seemed scared or out of place. He seemed utterly content in the moment, before he frowned and looked off to the side. From behind him Klaus did the same, and Elena followed their gazes as she looked back over her shoulder, and gasped.

"Well, this just keeps getting better and better doesn't it?" mused Leiah, as she grinned from her lounger, at Sarah who'd emerged from the trees behind Elena and Jenna.

"Let me guess, you're here to try and save Jenna too?" sighed out Klaus.

With a stern expression of steel, Sarah replied simply, "Yes."

"Sarah, you don't have to do this. I'll take Jenna's place. Just get out of here," ordered Stefan, not wanting to see anyone else die over this, least of all his own sister.

"No, no, no. You both stay right where you are," said Klaus, grin forming as he looked between the two Salvatores, making sure they didn't try to flee. But neither had that air about them, both stubbornly refusing to move while silently willing the other to leave.

"So, Elena. It seems you have plenty of choices," Klaus pointed out, gesturing to his three potential vampire sacrifices with the stake. He then asked the all important question, "Well. Who's it going to be?"

But Elena couldn't answer. Fighting back tears as she looked between three of the closest people in her life. Her family, her lover, and her friend. "No," she said spitefully, glaring at Klaus.

"How about I help you then?" Klaus offered with a smirk. "Maybe take away one of your options."

Before anyone could think about what that meant, Klaus was right behind Stefan, bringing down the stake into the centre of his back. Elena and Sarah cried out, watching as Stefan was forced to the ground by Klaus, as the Original snapped the stake, leaving half of it still deeply embedded in Stefan's back.

But upon realising it hadn't killed him, Sarah let out a sigh of relief, steadying herself as she stepped back into her original position. It was hard to watch her brother in so much pain, but in this kind of situation, she had tread carefully. And that meant staying put no matter what Klaus or Leiah did to try and spook her.

"I have other plans for your boyfriend," Klaus said ominously as he smiled down at Stefan, further confusing Sarah. After all, what could Klaus possibly want with Stefan after all this. He was only here to perform the ritual, only knew about the him, Sarah and Damon because of their involvement with Elena… Or at least that was what she thought until she remembered Leiah.

Looking over, Sarah watched as the short blue eyed Original grinned knowingly at her. What else was going on here? Sarah wondered, as her eyes sifted back to Stefan and Klaus. "I want him alive," continued Klaus. "But for now…" He then grabbed Stefan's head and snapped his neck so harshly that his whole body flipped over before he landed face first on the ground, dead.

"So, now it's a choice between Sarah and Jenna," Klaus proposed, sauntering away from Stefan's limp form, and around the flaming circles so that he stood facing Elena, with Jenna and Sarah on either side of him.

"Actually," interrupted Leiah with a raised hand in the air as Klaus looked back. "I think it's only fair, that since you got to veto Stefan from this ritual, that I should get to veto Sarah." Sarah, like everyone else, stared across at Leiah, frowning as the Original winked at her.

"Well, it seems there's no actual choice at all," Klaus said with a grin to Elena, before turning on Sarah.

"Wait," Sarah said sharply, holding up her hands.

"Relax, darling, I'm not going to kill you. Just put you down for a few minutes," explained the menacing Original as he advanced with his broken stake in hand. Although considering it no longer had a point – as that part was lodged in Stefan's back – Sarah didn't want to be the receiving end of it. She fully expected that Klaus had the strength to stab her with a blunt weapon and actually make it worse because of the thickness. But if her plan worked, hopefully she wouldn't get stabbed at all. She just had to remember who she was here for. Even if it meant leaving someone else she cared about behind.

"You don't have to, I have someone else you can sacrifice!" exclaimed Sarah, as Klaus stopped to roll his eyes.

"Let me guess, it's the other brother," he said wearily, on the verge of getting annoyed with all the time being wasted. "Like I told Katerina, he's no use to me."

"But it's not my brother," Sarah quickly explained, as she snapped her fingers to the trees behind her. At the sound, a woman then stepped forward. An ordinary woman, probably only a few years older than Elena, dressed in casual cloths and with a blank stare on her face as she walked forward. "It's her," Sarah said, gesturing back to the woman who stopped next to Sarah. "She can be your vampire sacrifice."

"And who's she?" asked Klaus, eyeing up the woman he didn't recognise. None of them did.

"She's someone who can replace Jenna in the sacrifice," insisted Sarah, as Elena and Jenna suddenly realised what was going on. Sarah had compelled this random woman, and had brought her here to be turned and substituted for Jenna in the ritual. Sarah was sending an innocent woman to her death, just so she could save Jenna. And while Elena wanted Jenna to live, she didn't want someone else to die either.

"Sarah, no! You can't!" Elena shouted out, but was ultimately ignored.

"But she's not a vampire," pointed out Klaus, another amused grin tugging at his lips. Curious to see if Sarah would go through with what she was implying.

Without hesitating, Sarah then bit into her wrist, and held it to the compelled woman's mouth, as all watched her consume the blood.

"Sarah, don't… You can't… It's not right," pleaded Elena, while Jenna remained in silent shock.

"If it saves Jenna, then I don't care," Sarah said, looking across to the her friend as she finished feeding the compelled woman. "And I'll do whatever it takes. Even if I have to become the bad guy to do."

"Sarah, you're not the bad guy. You're better than this," begged Elena.

"Some days I am. But not today," Sarah said before snapping the compelled woman's neck, as Elena screamed and Jenna gasped. As for Klaus and Leiah, they merely exchanged amused grins, enjoying the spectacle that had been put on for their behalf.

It didn't take long for the woman to reanimate, since Sarah had fed her a lot of her blood. And once she was sat up, Sarah knelt down next to her, pulling a blood bag from out of her jacket. The woman was confused, dazed and disoriented, as all vampires in transition were. But at the sight of the blood, she became transfixed by it, unable to take her eyes off it. That was until Sarah shoved it against her lips, squeezing the bag as the contents were forced into the woman's mouth. There was so much coming so fast, that she couldn't swallow it all, and most of it ended up dribbling down her chin. But it was enough. Enough to complete the transition and turn her into a vampire. One that Klaus could now use.

"There you go," Sarah said, standing up and shoving the woman forward were she collapsed onto her hands and knees between Sarah and Klaus. After looking down at this offering, Klaus looked back up to Sarah, staring at the emotionless mask she'd put on. He on the other hand, made no attempt to hide his enjoyment of the scene.

"Well, that was impressive," Leiah hummed from her lounger, her eyes alight with their usual sense of mischief.

"And ruthless," agreed a strangely proud Klaus.

"Her for Jenna…please," Sarah begged, as the emotion she'd been trying to hold back snuck into her eyes. Showing just how scared she was, how terrified she was of him saying no and condemning her best friend to death. And maybe it was that fear of Klaus that helped sway him, pandering to his ego in someway.

"All right," Klaus said with a sweetly sinister smile, reaching down to pull up the newly turned vampire. "Seeing as you care so much, I'll gladly take this one as a substitute for Jenna.

With a sigh of relief, Sarah replied with a heartfelt, "Thank you."

Klaus merely smirked back, before compelling the new vampire to follow him, as he lead her up towards the alter. "Greta, release Jenna," ordered Klaus, and though the witch seemed a little disappointed, with a flick fo the wrist the fire around Jenna died down into nothing.

"Now, time to put you to use," declared Klaus, turning to face the compelled and trembling woman, who was only just beginning to realise what was going on. His gaze then briefly flicked over to to Sarah, taking a great joy in seeing her squirm – knowing that she's condemned this woman to death for her own selfish reasons. Then, with his grin broadening, Klaus leaned in, and rammed the blunt stake into the woman's heart. And as her skin turned grey, and her veins began to show along her body, Jenna ran at him.

Screaming out in rage and anger for what was happening, Jenna with her heightened and new emotions, couldn't help herself. Because of Klaus, her niece had been through hell these past few months, because of him, she was going to die, and all for his stupid sacrifice. And it was because of him, that she herself had been turned into a vampire. Something which she didn't full understand herself. But what she did know, was that she had speed. And power. And was charging right at Klaus, ready to fight when she was tackled from behind.

She hit the ground face first, dirt flying into her sensitive mouth. The unusually detailed taste made her gag, as she began spitting out what she could. Then, remembering what was going on, she looked back, glare turning to shock and confusing when she saw that it was Sarah who'd stopped her attack.

Before she could get a word, Sarah had her hands on her head. And with a mournful look, snapped her neck.

As Klaus turned, rising from over the body of his dead vampire, he glare down upon Sarah. The Salvatore had thrown herself down upon her knees, after taking care of Jenna, hands held up in surrender as another plea took over her eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry that she did that. But it's her emotions, you have to understand – and I stopped her. I stopped her and I'll take her away now. Please, it was an accident on my part, and I'm sorry. Just please don't kill her for this. If you have to then kill me, but let her live. Please." Her words came out so fast that Klaus almost didn't catch half of them. All he really got was that Sarah was begging for her friend's life once more, after she'd just tried to ruin his ritual. And yet, with his goal with in reach, his fingers practically wrapped around it. Somehow he found the ability to smile.

He looked over to Leiah, seeing sympathy in his sister's eyes. "Very well, take her away," Klaus said uncaringly, as he waved in Sarah's direction. "No harm I suppose."

"Thank you," Sarah heavies out in relief, momentarily stunned by the fact that he'd been so merciful. But knowing that could change at any moment, she quickly got herself together and grabbed Jenna's limp body.

Throwing her over her shoulder, Sarah bowed her head one last time to Klaus, showing him what he craved, before turning to leave. And as she walked, starting off so purposeful and quick – she slowed upon passing Elena, their eyes connecting across the flames that divided them. After another few short steps, Sarah had stopped, as the two teary eyed women stood looking at each other.

"I'm sorry," Sarah said sadly, wishing there was something she could do for her. But she couldn't, not without endangering Jenna, who was the whole reason she'd come.

"Don't be," Elena said shaking her head, fighting to put on a brave smile as she shook away the tears. "You did everything you could, and you saved Jenna. Thank you, for helping me through this, for sticking by my side even when no one else would."

After that, Sarah couldn't hold Elena's gaze, feeling as if she'd still let her down. It was true, she had stuck by her side through everything, backed her decisions. But it seemed only now Sarah was experiencing the emotional weight of those decisions. The same for Elena. Both while knowing this was coming, could never have known how it was going to feel when the time came.

"Look after Jenna for me," Elena asked, finally getting Sarah to look back with a new found – if small – determination in her watery eyes.

"I will," Sarah promised, before she began to walk again, aiming to vanish back into the tree line where she'd emerged from. Her job done. Now she just had to hope that the others were ready to handle the rest without her.

"Hold on a second, Sarah," Leiah suddenly called out in cheery voice – despite the emotional tone of the situation.

Looking back, Sarah saw that mischievous look again. And that grin that told her Leiah wasn't done playing with her just yet. She gestured to the fallen log next to her lounger, as she smoothly rose from her seat. "Care to join me in the audience for this history occasion?" At the question Sarah glare back at the short girl, wishing she could lash out but knowing full well she couldn't with Jenna still in play.

"Come on," said Leiah in a teasing tone. "You wouldn't want poor Elena to have to go through this alone would you?" At that, Sarah looked back over, seeing the tear stained Elena and remembering that Stefan was still out of it for the time being.

Leiah was right, she couldn't leave Elena to go through this alone. And like she'd said herself, they'd been through this together every step of the way. It almost felt wrong for her not to be here, to bear witness to the moment Elena had resigned herself to ever since learning about Klaus. She had to stay, to support her friend, and give her the strength to finish this. Before the others arrived to finish Klaus.

Slowly, Sarah then began to move towards Leiah, trying her best to ignore the beaming Original as she placed Jenna's body down next to the log. In front so she could keep an eye on her – see if she awoke, and prevent her from trying anything again. She somehow doubted Klaus would be as merciful a second time.

She then sat herself down on the log, hunched over with her hands clasping one another. Only to then find that Leiah had sat down next to her, rather close too. Turning slightly to glare at her, Sarah found herself frowning instead, when she noticed Leiah seemed more focused on her than the ritual.

"Why do you keep looking at me like that?" Sarah whispered.

"Like what?" Leiah asked without missing a beat.

"Like you know me."

"'Cause I do," Leiah replied with a smirk.

"But I don't remember you?"

"Frustrating isn't it?" Leiah agreed with a raised brow. "Trust me, it isn't much fun for me either."

"So why don't you tell me about how you know me?" demanded Sarah, getting rather sick of these games and looks from Leiah.

She thought Leiah looked sad for a moment, but the look all but vanished as she turned away, hiding her thoughts with a playful grin. "It wouldn't make a difference right now. And besides, you've got enough on your mind without me adding to it."

"Then maybe you could stop with the flirtatious looks too while you're at it," Sarah snapped, before looking over towards Elena. Standing alone in her flaming circle, waiting for her final moments.

"Sorry, Hot Stuff, can't do that while your around," replied Leiah, as Sarah rolled her eyes. Thankfully she got a distraction in the groans of her brother, from the other site of the ritual site.

He'd woken up, but was still sprawled out on the ground unable to get up. Sarah could see him reaching behind his back, trying to grab the broken part of the stake embedded in his back. But from where it was and with nothing for him to grab onto, it would be impossible for him to get it out himself. Sarah briefly thought about going over to help him, but Leiah cut through those thoughts as she said, "Oh, look, Greta's adding the blood of the vampire."

Following Leiah's gaze, Sarah looked up towards the alter to see Greta pouring the vampire blood into the bowl atop the alter. Obviously having collected it while Sarah was talking to Elena and Leiah. "You know, I'm kind glad you saved the aunt," said Leiah quietly, as if it were a secret. "She seems like fun."

"And I'd rather you hadn't turned her into a vampire," said Sarah bluntly.

"Don't blame me," Leiah replied carelessly, still looking up at the alter. "It was Niklaus' blood. Beside, she'll love being a vampire. You do don't you?" she pointed out, turning with another knowing grin towards Sarah. And while sometimes Sarah would agree with that statement, it didn't mean she'd force this life upon anyone… Save the woman she'd just condemned to this ritual.

At her own depressing thoughts, Sarah lost the will to argue with Leiah. She just wanted this night to be over. Her gaze lowering down to the unconscious Jenna, while Leiah looked back up eagerly towards her brother and Greta, awaiting the continuation of the ritual.

It wasn't long. Once Greta had added the blood and finished her chanting, she nodded to Klaus, who with the broadest grin imaginable, he began making his way over to Elena. With each step the flames around her began to die down, until he was stood at the edge of where the circle had been, with Elena stood before him. "It's time," he announced, holding out his hand towards her.

Knowing that he could change his mind and kill her loved ones still here, Elena slowly took his hand. Allowing him to guide her back towards the alter, while trying to keep her eyes of Stefan. He was groaning even louder now, trying to fight, to get up, while his body convulsed in pain. The stake was preventing him from doing much of anything, but he still had to try, even if it was in vain.

"Sarah!" he then started to shout. "Sarah, you have to stop this!"

For a brief moment Sarah wasn't sure. She thought his initial struggles had just been to put on a show, to make sure Klaus didn't think something was up. But hearing the plea in his voice, Sarah was beginning to think that Stefan really wanted her to act. To step in and save Elena from what was about to happen. She could understand his sudden change of heart, now that they were here, with Elena about to die. It was understandable, she was even feeling it herself. The sudden urge to act, to try and save her friend, despite all the previous promises.

Then a hand landed on her shoulder, and Sarah turned to look at Leiah. Her playful grin there as always, but something more cautionary in her gentle blue eyes. "Don't try anything," she warned quietly. "Do it, and I promise you, you'll regret it." With that she lifted her hand from Sarah's shoulder, apparently trusting her not to act. Or maybe she thought she knew her well enough to judge her, Sarah wasn't sure. Either way, she turned to look up at the alter, and Sarah followed her gaze. Both watching as Klaus and Elena climbed up, and turned around to face them all. The still struggling Stefan on the ground, Sarah and Leiah sat on the log, with an unconscious Jenna at their feet.

The moment they'd been waiting for was finally here.

Gently turning the head of his precious doppelgänger, Klaus gave his thanks to Elena, before stepping behind her. Elena said nothing, continuing to be brave as her heart raced inside her chest. She flinched when Klaus brushed back her hair, exposing the right side of her neck. A second later, and Klaus' fangs were pushing their way into her tender neck, as if she were getting an innocent injection. She tried her best to hold on to that imagine, to tell herself it was just an injection, anything to help her stay brave. Before long the darkness started to over come her, her vision blurring as it all got darker and darker. Klaus was consuming her blood with awesome speed, taking it all until she went limp.

After that Elena lost consciousness, but Klaus still continued to drink from her. Needing it all to complete his ritual. And as he drank, Stefan gasped, still fighting just to get up off the ground. Leiah smiled widely, savouring the moment just like her brother. Sarah had to look away after the initial bit. She couldn't watch, not when she'd advised Elena into doing this, helped her achieve this soon to be bitter victory. It had been what Elena wanted, but in that moment Sarah couldn't help the guilt that washed over her, as if it were somehow all her fault. And she couldn't even support Elena in watching her last moments, to make sure she went out peacefully. How badly she wanted this night to be over once and for all.

Then finally, Klaus was done. He'd taken everything he could from Elena.

With blood smeared all around his mouth, his eyes consumed by the substance, he let her go. The dry body of the doppelgänger, falling away like a discarded bag, as she fell upon the rock. Dead.

The flames for Greta's bowl rose up spectrally, spiralling around and dancing within themselves, before suddenly diving into the bowl, never to be seen again. With all the light now gone, save for the moon, the ritual sight became suddenly very dark and silent. Until Klaus gasped from within in the shadows.

Their eyes all slowly adjusted to the new lighting, and as they did Klaus stepped down from his alter. A giddy smile on his face. "I can feel it," he said eagerly, looking up to the full moon hanging over head. "It's happening."

Sarah was vaguely aware of Leiah standing up from next to her – probably showcasing the same excited smile as that of her brother – but like everyone else, Sarah couldn't take her eyes of Klaus. Watching as with a madman's smile, he began the painful transformation of a werewolf. His shoulders were rearranging, snapping back and forth as he went from upright, to hunched over. His hands curling in on themselves as bone snaps echoed through the area. Even his fangs seemed to change into something new, becoming more werewolf like, as the irises of his eyes turned bright gold like that of a werewolf. And yet, Sarah could still see the blood that surrounded them, as if he were still vampire.

So this was a Hybrid.

Then, with a flash of lightning, the whole scene was turned on its head.

Klaus was flung through the are by an invisible force, thrown to the ground as a sudden furious wind began to whirl around them. The trees around shaking with such force that Sarah thought some of them were going to snap like twigs. Even she was blown from her seat, falling down onto her knees – and only just missing Jenna in the process. From next to her Leiah was shouting angrily, but the wind covered up her outrageous screams, as Sarah frantically pushed back her hair, trying to see what was happening.

That was why she heard Bonnie before she saw her. The thunderous, booming chant of a powerful witch, as she descended down the hill to the ritual sight. Her hand outstretched towards Klaus as she attacked him with the power of multiple witches all at once. All over fires began forming from out of nowhere, lighting up the area once more and outlining Bonnie's path down the hill.

Greta turned, outstretching her own hand in a counter spell. But then Damon appeared behind her, quickly snapping her neck before she could enact whatever spell she'd been about to use.

Bonnie continued on, marching past Stefan and the alter and towards the agonising screams of Klaus, as he spasmed out across the ground, still transforming into a wolf while Bonnie peeled at the magic around with such force it was as if his own skin was been torn off.

But they'd forgotten about Leiah, who was growling like an enraged animal from beside Sarah, eyes fixed on Bonnie. The petite blonde – no longer looking so cute and playful, and now more like a vicious animal – went to attack. Running forward only to be jumped from behind and dragged down to the ground.

Her attacker didn't waste any time, bitting down into Leiah's neck and then pulling back. Taking a chunk of skin and even some blonde hair with her. After that she was promptly shoved off, with enough force that sent her flying back into the log next to Sarah, whose eyes were wide with shock.

"You bitch!" cried out Leiah, hand clamped over the bloody wound on the back of her neck, as she glare across at attacker vengefully.

"What happened to, 'Cutie'?" mocked Scarlett, brushing back her own mad brunette hair. Still glaring, Leiah managed to get herself back up and turned around, but after one step she'd collapsed back down onto her knees, groaning in pain that was nearly inaudible beneath the roaring wind. "It might not kill you, but my guess is that werewolf bites aren't any good for you Originals either!"

Having had her shots at Leiah, Scarlett then turned to Sarah. "Come on, we've got to go!" Nodding, Sarah grabbed Jenna, throwing her once again over her shoulder, before the two raced around the ritual site towards Stefan, making sure not to distract Bonnie in the process. When they arrived, Damon was already with their downed brother, having collected Elena's body from the alter. He'd laid her alongside Stefan for the moment, while he pulled the stake out from Stefan's back.

"I need you to get her out of here!" Stefan said to Damon as his brother helped him up.

"What about you?"

Glaring back out across the opening towards Klaus, Stefan replied, "I'm not leaving until he's dead."

"I'll stay with him," Scarlett said.

"All right," Damon said grabbing Elena once more in a bridal style. "Come on, this way!" he called to Sarah, who once again nodded as they ran up the hill. She did however glance back, taking in the battle that almost seemed biblical from atop the hill.

Bonnie in the centre, reaching out with all the power of a hundred witches. Klaus, sprawled out ahead of her in agonising pain. Leiah, of to the side and hunched over in her own world of hurt, while still having enough strength to glare spitefully at Bonnie. And Scarlett helping Stefan stand, as he healed from his wound. The two watching in awe as Bonnie took on Klaus.

It was definitely something, but she and Damon had to get Elena and Jenna away from here. And so, she turned away from it, trusting her family and friends to finish this, while they attended to the momentarily dead.

Leiah hated being called a sore loser. But the fact was, she hated losing. Hated being bester or outsmart. The only people she usually tolerated it from where her own family – and maybe on occasion a very good looking guy or girl. But losing today had not been an option. And yet, it suddenly seemed to be the case.

In the blink of an eye, she'd gone from celebrating with her brother, to kneeling down on the ground with half her neck exposed, while some bloody witch tortured her brother. But Leiah still had her strength, and still had time before the werewolf bite made her completely useless. She could make out Stefan and the cute bitch of a werewolf off to the side, but they wouldn't be any trouble, even in her current state. And with the witch's focus entirely on her brother, she'd be able to fix this with one snap of the neck.

Fighting the wind that was trying to push her down, Leiah climbed back up, hand still pressed against her neck. With a shake of the head she managed to sway most of her hair from her face, allowing her to see more clearly. Even if she was beginning to see two identical witches standing right in the same spot. It had been a while since she'd had a werewolf bite, and this one had been deep, acting faster on her mind and body. But she could still do this, still save the day for her beloved brother Niklaus.

Once again she went to move, only for both her arms to be pulled away from her and forced behind her back. "I'm sorry, Leiah, but I can't let you intervene" came a familiar voice. A voice Leiah could really do without right now.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!" groaned out the maddened Leiah, as she tried to look back, catching enough of her captor's face to recognise her. "What idiot undaggered you!" Leiah snapped spiteful to Amelia, who was stood behind her, holding her back. Normally Leiah would have been able to put up a decent fight, but with the werewolf bite wearing her down, and Amelia's superior hold, she was trapped.

"I know you're angry, but trust me, this is for the best," Amelia said calmly, voice only raised enough to be heard over the wind.

"What is?" snapped Leiah, confused, even when she saw Elijah – the less annoying of the pair – appear next to the witch. And as obnoxiously loud witch ceased her chant, the noble brother stepped forward towards Klaus, still pinned down despite the lack of noise from the witch.

"Elijah?" whispered Klaus, obviously shocked to see him too.

"Hello, brother," Elijah greeted with his usual politeness, while Stefan and the cute bitch stepped forward to flank the witch. But Leiah's eyes were quickly drawn back to her brothers, when Elijah suddenly bent down, plunging his fist into Klaus' chest.

"No!" Leiah cried out, fighting more against her sister's hold, but still to no avail. "You can't kill him!"

"It has to be done, Leiah. I'm sorry," Amelia said, with a rare hint of aggression in her voice, as she pulled Leiah back towards her.

Elijah then proclaimed aloud, "In the name of our family, Niklaus…" He gave a twist at Klaus' heart, just enough to make him flinch in agonising pain once more.

"Don't do it, Elijah!" Leiah shouted out frantically from where Amelia held her, but he ignored her as he prepared himself to rip out his brother's heart. That was until…

"I didn't bury them at sea!" came the hoarse voice Klaus, as he weakly clung onto the life that Elijah was yet to take from him.

Staring back at him, Elijah's face suddenly filled with hesitation. "What?" Even Amelia had loosened her hold on Leiah out of shock, but it still wasn't enough for the younger sister to get away.

"Their bodies are safe. But if you kill me, you'll never find them," Klaus declared, as Elijah turned to look over at Amelia.

"It's true," Leiah insisted before either of them could voice their thoughts. "And don't count on me to help you find them, 'cause he's the only one who knows where they are." It was a lie, Leiah knew exactly where their dagger siblings where. But this was the only way she could save her brother. And from the looks upon Elijah and Amelia's faces, as their eyes searched one another, it appeared to be working. They were second guessing themselves now, the motivations no longer as clear, as they silently spoke to one another.

"Elijah!" Stefan called out, still stood next to Bonnie and the cute bitch. "Don't listen to him."

"Elijah, Amelia," Klaus spoke, grabbing his brother and sister's attention once more. "I can take you to them. I give you my word…brother." He then turned, looking over to his two sisters. "Sister," he added to his promise, and Leiah knew they had them now. The two of them had always bought it whenever they said it was 'their word'. There was a nobility to it, and that had always been Amelia and Elijah's weak spot.

"You let him live and I'll take you all out," warned the witch as she stepped forward, sensing the hesitation in the Originals.

"You'll never succeed and only kill yourself in the process," pointed out Amelia from off to the side.

The witch turned to face her, the determination clear in her eyes. "I don't care," she snarled, and Amelia believed her. Even if the witch failed in killing anyone of them, she'd go out trying. But with this flicker of hope for their family, Elijah and Amelia had no choice.

They looked to one another, and nodded.

"We're sorry," Elijah said, looking to the witch, Stefan and Cutie. Leiah smirked. And just like that, they'd won.

"No!" the three helpless supernaturals cried out, rushing forward to try and stop them, but it was already to late. Elijah had removed his hand from Klaus' heart, instead picking him up. Amelia's hands had released Leiah and were instead now wrapped around her in a familiar embrace. And then the four Originals vanished from sight. Elijah leaping over the flames that surrounded them and vanishing across the body of water, while Amelia took Leiah and vanished back up the hill.

It may not have gone exactly to plan, but one thing was for sure in Leiah's mind. It had certainly been memorable.

When Jenna awoke, she did so slowly. As if she was waking up from a dream, going as far as to rub the imaginary sleep from her eyes. Some dream, more like a nightmare, she thought to herself, sitting up on what she realised was one of the couches in the Salvatore living room. Sliding her feet from the other end, Jenna sat herself up, hunching over for a moment as she gave her oddly stiff neck a rub. By her age she really ought to stop sleeping on couches, it just wasn't practical after a point.

When she looked up, she found Sarah sat across from her. She let out an awkward laugh, feeling a little embarrassed for being caught napping. Especially with everything that was going on. But then the laughter suddenly stopped when she saw Sarah's posture. Her hands clasped together, rubbing one another, the tightness of her lips and the slight tension in her shoulders. Something had happened. For a brief moment – since the sun was up behind closed curtains – Jenna thought she'd slept through it, the ritual.

"What hap–!" She was cut off as she stood up, a stray ray of light shining through a gap in the curtains and catching her as she rose. It was like someone had been holding a blow torch to her, the intensity of the heat – which all but vanished when she fell back on the couch.

"Sorry! I'll take care of that," Sarah quickly said, running over to fix the curtain as Jenna stared at her brunt arm. Or rather, formally burnt, as the burn mark had already disappeared, her skin once again smooth and undamaged. By the time Jenna had recovered from shock, Sarah was sat back down opposite her once more. "Sorry," Sarah repeated again. "I was hoping to avoid that for the time being."

Jenna stared at her, mouth agape as she looked between Sarah and her forearm, where she'd been burnt. "What happened?" Jenna managed to ask, though patches of it were already coming back to her now. The dream she'd had.

"As we planned, the ritual went ahead last night," Sarah began, to which Jenna was instantly reminded of her niece.

"Elena?!"

"–Is fine," Sarah quickly assured. "She's in the kitchen with Jeremy right now. They're both safe and alive…and human." Jenna remember that now too, how Damon had feed Elena his blood, and how if she died with it in her system then she'd become a vampire. She was glad to hear that that hadn't happened.

Sarah continued, "But it didn't all go according to plan. After Elena's part in the ritual, Elijah and Amelia were supposed to kill Klaus and restrain Leiah. Only they didn't." She paused to glare down at the floor, rather than send any of her anger Jenna's away, as the woman listened intently. "They turned on us and fled with them before we could do anything."

"So, he's still out there? Klaus?" Jenna said nervously.

"Yes," answered Sarah sombrely. "We're hoping that he's gone and taken the others with him. But considering some of the things that were said last night, we very much doubting we've seen the last of them." Then Sarah's tone changed, as she looked back to Jenna, struggling to continue. "And there's the matter of what happened to you."

By this point it had all come back to Jenna. The dream, or rather, what had been her memory of last night. When she'd been kidnapped by Klaus to be used in his ritual. "I'm a vampire," Jenna said quietly, as if saying it made it all so much more real. Tears even began to fall as she covered her mouth with her hand.

"I'm sorry!" she suddenly exclaimed, trying to stop herself from crying. "I know I should be grateful that Elena and Jeremy are alive, but…"

"It's okay," Sarah assured her with an understanding smile. "Your emotions are just heightened right now. In time you'll get the hang of it, but for now especially, it'll be a bit overwhelming. Your emotional state will take random turns and sometimes you'll fixate on things you wouldn't normally. And it's okay to mourn for yourself right now, I understand what it's like."

"So…" sniffled Jenna in between the tears. "What does this mean for me?"

"Well, I'll probably try and help you. Make sure you understand everything that being a vampire means, make sure you know how to keep the nasty parts under control. Like me and Stefan did for Caroline," Sarah explained tenderly, as if Jenna had a lot of options when it came to vampire teachers. The thought actually struck a humorous cord with her for some reason, which in turn cut of the tears for a moment of relative peace.

"Would Stefan be helping you?" Jenna asked, followed by another sniff.

Sarah scrunched up her nose, as if sensing the emotional change inside Jenna. "Nah. He's no fun as a teacher and to be honest with you, he's the cause of all the bad parts of Caroline." Though it wasn't all that funny, Jenna did find herself laughing a little, to which Sarah smiled at her. But just like with the sudden cut off of tears, the same happened with the laughter – like Jenna was a pendulum, being swung from one emotional extreme to the other as she curled up on the couch.

"I think I'm scared," Jenna said quietly, feeling the pendulum begin to drift back into the negative. The fear swiftly making its way through her body and causing her to hyperventilate as her heart began to race like never before.

"What about?" Sarah asked calmly. Knowing that sometimes all it took was talking about ones fears to help calm them and understand them.

"What if I–I hurt someone? Or–Or worse. What if I hurt Elena, or Jeremy, or Ric, or you, or–!"

"Jenna. Jenna! Listen to me!" Sarah cut in over her friend's accelerating freaking out. "What you're thinking right now is totally normal, and you know how I know that? Because I went through it myself. When I first turned I was terrified of what I might do to Damon or Stefan. But as you know, they're both alive and fine, over a hundred years later."

"Yeah, but you're all vampires," pointed out Jenna.

"You're right. But I still could have killed them. I didn't though, because my love for them as my brothers was stronger than anything else I might have gotten by becoming a vampire. It's like my friend Lexi used to say, the speed, the strength, the senses. All of that is nothing compared to the emotional depth we gain as vampires. What we are allows us to feel more any human ever could. So when we get scared, like you are now, it can overcome us and drive us mad. But the counter to that is love. Because, Jenna, when we love…it can be the most powerful feeling."

Sarah smiled, seeing that she was getting through to Jenna. Her heavy breathing returning to a more calm speed, and her focus entirely on Sarah and nothing else – which was ideal for when any vampire went through these emotional roller coasters. In this case distraction really was the best medicine.

"That's why I never hurt my brothers in the beginning. That's why I know you want hurt Elena, or Jeremy, or Alaric, or me, or anyone else you care about. Because you're like me, Jenna. You're love for your family and those you care for, it's just too damn strong." At the praise, she could see Jenna's cheeks flaring from embarrassment, as her smile turned hopeful for the first time.

"It'll be a learning curve for sure," Sarah continued, but never losing her optimism. "And it's always hard at the start. But I'll be here to help you through it and so will everyone else. We won't let this break you, Jenna. And as long as you keep a good diet of blood, I promise you, you'll never hurt the people you love. I'll make sure of it.

"Though, I think maybe for the next few days you should stay here with me and the others. Just as a kind of, settling in period. Until you're comfortable enough to go home to Elena and Jeremy."

"What about Scarlett?" Jenna asked in concern. "Won't she be in danger here?"

Sarah chuckled, "Scarlett can look after herself. Trust me, you'll be no threat to her until we train you up a bit."

And while that put Jenna at ease, it didn't stop another depressing thought from creeping into her mind. "But what if I can't control the bloodlust, and I can't ever go home?"

Sarah smiled confidently. "I have no doubt that you'll conquer this, Jenna. We'll have you home in no time."

Her smile was infectious, or perhaps it was just those heightened emotional mood swings again, but either way Jenna smiled back. Finding another moment of peace until she heard footsteps from the hallway. She turned with Sarah to look, seeing Elena and Jeremy stepping into view past the archway that lead out into the hall.

"Hey, we just wanted to see how things were going," Elena said, awkwardly running her hands down her backside as she looked from Sarah to Jenna. She smiled supportively, but Jenna quickly lowered her gaze despite the friendliness, as if not believing she deserved it.

"Well, I think I can safely say she's not going to rip anybodies head off," Sarah replied.

"Not funny," hissed Jenna.

"I wasn't joking," Sarah shot back, prompting the newbie vampire to frown back at her. "Are you okay with them being here?" Sarah asked, picking up on Jenna's tension, before the aunt looked back over to her niece and nephew, a fearful look in her eye.

"What if I hurt them?" she said back over to Sarah.

"You won't," Elena said confidently, stepping into the room with Jeremy behind her.

"We trust you," Jeremy added in the same tone.

"But I don't trust me," Jenna pleaded with them, wanting them to run far away from her and not look back. She would never be able to live with herself if she did something to hurt those two. They had become so much more than her niece and nephew since the accident with their parents – her sister. They'd become almost like her children, and she cared too much to let them come near her, a monster.

"Jenna," Sarah spoke up again, as the vampire turned towards the elder. "Breathe," Sarah advised her, and in that one action it seemed to ease everything. The itching of her teeth, the pounding in her ears, the tension in her shoulders and the racing of her mind. And with each breath it got better until she felt, normal.

Then before she knew it, Elena and Jeremy were on the couch with her, flanking her as they wrapped their arms around her. Again Jenna began to cry, but no longer tears of sadness, but happiness instead. Maybe she could handle being a vampire. Or at least she thought so until she noticed Alaric had joined them, awkwardly stood in the archway with a timid smile on his face.

"I–I can come back later," he offered.

"Nonsense, get in here," Jeremy told him, an unrecognisable man to the boy he'd been when Jenna first moved in to look after them. They'd grown so much, and she'd barely even noticed. Maybe that was because they'd been growing up in the supernatural world, the world she hadn't been apart of, until now. Now she was a part of their lives again, more so than ever before. Now she was more equipped than ever to protect her niece and nephew. Just like she'd promised her sister.

"Yeah, come on!" agreed Elena, as Jeremy slid over to make room between him and Jenna.

"Really, I–"

"Please," Jenna said softly, a pleading look in her tired hazel eyes. It quickly won Alaric over, as he bowed his head and came over, dropping down to join the rest of the Gilberts. He then gave Jenna a deep kiss on the lips, and Jeremy began making gaging noises while Elena cooed. After that laughter erupted as they began pushing one another, and from opposite them, Sarah rose to take her leave. She knew Jenna would be fine for now.

"Hey, where you going?" asked Elena, still huddled against her aunt's side.

"To snuggle with my own family," Sarah replied jokingly, grinning back over her shoulder as she left. "Scream if you need me."

Jenna was about half way through deciding whether it was a joke or not, when she lost interest. It didn't matter anyway, all that matter was that her niece was alive and human and that she had those she loved the most all under one roof. So she enjoyed the peace that morning. Until noon hit and it suddenly occurred to her to ask about John.

Since Jenna didn't have a daylight ring yet, they waited until nightfall before having the funeral. Damon took, Sarah, Scarlett and Jenna to the graveyard, while Stefan went and picked up Elena and Jeremy from their home. Alaric, Caroline and Bonnie came for support. In a way, Sarah supposed it could also be seen as a mourning for Jenna's human life, since she was now a vampire. She didn't say it out loud, though it was the only thing that was going to make her even slightly mournful. She felt bad for Elena and Jeremy over John's death, but she herself did not see it as a big loss to the world.

At least in his death he'd done something good, in giving Elena a second chance at a human life. She was grateful to him for that at least.

Damon had already taken care of everything, having compelled two gravediggers to burry John alongside Elena and Jeremy's parents in one of the two available slots that had been reserved by their estate. It was obvious which one was his from a glance, the freshly turned soil being a dead give away.

They gathered around in silence, while Elena lay down a flower for her biological father. On the surface she seemed to be taking it well, but by now Sarah knew that Elena was good at putting on a brave face. At least Jeremy would be there for her during the nights, that was when Stefan wasn't staying over. Sarah hoped she'd get over it soon. The man didn't deserve that much time mourning over him.

Jeremy and Jenna followed Elena's lead in laying down flowers on John's grave, before Elena then moved onto her parents gravestone. She'd brought another two flowers with her, as had Jeremy and Jenna. They laid those down in front of Grayson and Miranda Gilbert, and that was when Elena started to cry. Jeremy brought her into a supportive hug, of which Jenna joined in. And then Alaric stepped forward, resting his hand on Jenna's shoulder, showing his support for her in visiting her sister's grave. One happy graving family, just like Sarah and her own.

A movement from beside her caught Sarah's attention, turning to see Damon walking off further into the graveyard, now that their business was apparently concluded. A nudge quickly followed from her other brother, who frowned at her before gesturing after Damon. Sarah shook her head, telling him that she had no idea what was up either. Stefan then thought about it for a moment, looking to see that Elena was okay. She was, surrounded by family and friends as they helped her grieve. Safe at last.

He then nodded after Damon, starting to walk as Sarah fell into step beside him. As they walked, the others began to make their way back to the cars.

"We're going to head back to the house," Stefan informed Damon once they were close enough.

His back was to them. "I think I'll skip the coffee and tea cakes."

"Damon, she needs us right now," Stefan said after a moment.

"All of us," Sarah added for emphasis.

"And then what?" Damon asked, still not looking back. "The curse is broken. How does one go about killing an all-powerful wolf vamp, his annoying brat of a sister, and their two-faced older siblings?"

"I have no idea," sighed Stefan.

"But we don't have to worry about that right now," Sarah pointed out. Hoping against the odds in truth.

"Yeah, we do, sis," Damon said sternly as he finally turned back around, a seriousness to his hardened blue eyes. He seemed to be taking John's death worse than Sarah could have imagined. "And we need a plan. Fast."

"I'm not going to let Elena lose anybody else," Stefan said simply.

"I wouldn't make any promises, brother," Damon said, as he started to roll up his right arm sleeve.

"What are you talking about?" asked Sarah, frowning along with Stefan.

"Tyler Lockwood bit me," he answered, showcasing the infectious wound on his forearm.

Sarah's eyes widened in horror, as she quickly snatched ahold of her brother's arm, just to make sure it wasn't some kind of sick joke. But it wasn't, and as Stefan leaned in beside her, Sarah knew. It was real. It was the same as with Rose. Not as big and not as deep. But the signs were all there on his arm. The familiar pus, the boils, the redden skin and a wound that was refusing to heal like it should. And then she remembered the previous night. During the tussle with Tyler, when she'd heard the sound of biting and skin breaking. She'd forgotten about it in the aftermath, but now it all came flooding back to her.

"No…" Sarah gasped in horror. This couldn't happen, not after everything they'd just been through. She couldn't lose her brother.

"It's actually more of a nip, really," Damon said in an odd optimist sort of way, looking at himself as Sarah's head snapped up to glare at him. Hating him for making a joke out of this, but too distort to yell at him. "But there it is."

"We'll find something. A cure," Stefan declared.

"He's right, there's got to be something," insisted a desperate Sarah, while Damon just shook his head and rolled his sleeve back down.

"There isn't," Damon said matter-of-factly.

"Shut up!" Sarah snapped suddenly, hitting him in the arm. Her own tears brimming now. Luckily there wasn't anyone around to see and ask what was going on. But even so, it wasn't fair. After everything they'd done, all they'd gone through, including Damon.

Losing Rose. Finding Andie, a woman he might genuinely have feelings for just as he had for Rose. It wasn't right, he didn't deserve this. She didn't deserve this. To lose her brother and by extension a part of her heart.

"Sorry, Sarah," Damon said, rising his good arm to put his hand on her shoulder, as her lower lip quivered. It was like they were kids again, and he was covering for her when father was angry with her. "But me being the over protective big brother that I am, I was never going to let Tyler Lockwood stick his grungy little teeth into you."

Then it was Stefan's turn to argue with him. "We kept Elena human, right? We found a way when there was no way. We can do this," Stefan promised his older brother, as his forest green eyes meet Damon's scarily serene blue.

"You want to do something for me?" Damon asked, looking between his younger siblings. "Keep this from Elena. Last thing she needs is another grave to mourn."

"And what about us!" hissed Sarah, suddenly feeling selfish as she grabbed a hold of her brother. Damon didn't push her off though, instead pulling her against his chest and wrapping her arms around her in a brotherly hug. Possibly the last she would ever receive from him.

"You have Stefan. And he has you. I'm just the older annoying brother, you'll be fine without," he said, kissing her forehead. But Sarah couldn't believe him. She'd never believe that lie. She needed her brothers, her family. Both of them. To lose them, even if only temporarily, was bad enough, but she couldn't lose them forever. She'd couldn't continue on this plane if half her heart was gone.

"Tell me it's going to be okay?" whimpered Sarah against Damon's chest. Gripping onto him as tight as she could, so that even death would struggle to take him from her.

"Everything's going to be okay," Damon lied.