1x9 History Repeating

[Alaric's Apartment]

Claire woke up still wrapped around Alaric whose face was buried into her shoulder. She smiled as Alaric stirred and shifted so he was facing the beautiful brunette.

"Hey." He said sleepily.

Claire chuckled yawning, "Smooth."

Alaric chuckled before pulling Claire in for a deep passionate kiss. He then shifted trailing kisses down her neck, shoulders, going lower and lower. They ran their hands over each other's bodies, pulling each other closer and closer. Claire matched Ric kiss for kiss, touch for touch, giving as much as she received.

"MMM, what a way to wake up." She laughed quite a bit later as they tumbled apart. The pair got up from the bed beginning to fish their clothes from the mess on the floor.

"I'm going to grab a quick shower." She said pulling Ric's shirt over her. Ric turned away intending to go to the kitchen and turn on some coffee. Claire smiled walking towards the bathroom before calling over her shoulder, "You're more than welcome to join me if you like."

Ric shot her a mischievous grin before following the brunette into the bathroom. For the first time since Isabel's death, he felt like life wasn't this bleak and dark abyss.

The pair after their romp in the shower, decided to split ways and meet up later that week. Claire told Ric that she had to rush home and check in on her brothers. Ric, unbeknownst to Claire had to go to Mystic Falls High for his first day teaching.

[At Salvatore's house.]

Claire walked in trying to reach her room before her brothers saw her and teased her about being out all night and coming in now smelling like sex. She walked upstairs and almost reached her room before running into Damon.

"My, my Clairy Fairy, I have missed you." Damon teased sarcastically

"Obviously, I have been gone for way too long. You have probably managed to kill the houseplants and nearly half the town." Claire retorted

"Claire, nice of you to come home, and my, my you had fun last night. I didn't know that was possible for you to actually have fun anymore. Was he delicious?" Damon teased knowing that every single word dripping out of his mouth at the current instance would make his sister fiercely uncomfortable.

Claire rolled her eyes and reached into her room grabbing one of her daggers, she shoved it into Damon's gut, then twisting the knife for added effect. "Go to hell Damon."

Damon winced, pulling the knife from his chest, "Nice touch sis. I supposed I deserved that." He held the blade in his hand.

"Damon, drop my damn knife. You deserved that and a whole lot more." Claire spat out her good mood long since having vanished.

"Why don't you drop the attitude first, sweetheart? And here I thought the sex would loosen you up, you're too tense Claire bear." Damon teased.

Claire rolled her eyes, before retorting back, "That's what happens when your brother firebombs your life. Now can you please be stupid somewhere that's away from me."

"Oh Clarissa, you know if you were any shorter, you'd probably fade out of existence. Why are you so mean to me Clairy Fairy?" Damon quipped.

"I don't know, I think it's just my factory setting, and somehow you don't even have to open your mouth to make my head hurt, Damon." Claire replied before using her magic to break, heal and rebreak all of his bones, and glare at him as he screamed in pain.

Damon chuckled, at her antics, and then decided to ignore her once she released the spell, he then popped into Stefan's room. Claire followed him hot on his heels. "Rise and Shine. You'll be late for school." Damon said trying to wake Stefan.

Stefan glared at Damon, "What...What are you doing?"

Damon smirked, "Peace offering. Come on you need it for blood circulation. Does the dead flesh good? All right. I'm Sorry."

Stefan tried to move past his brother, but Damon stood firmly in his way. "Step aside, please." He asked. He looked past Damon at Claire, "Can you hit him with your knife again"

"The technical term is 'stab'." Claire quipped sarcastically, "And doing anything for you even stabbing our irritating elder brother, Stefan is not exactly high on my list of priorities."

Damon smirked, "I got the town off our back. It was for the greater good but I'm sorry. And to prove it, I'm not going to feed on human for at least a ...week. I'll adopt Stefan diet, only nothing with feathers."

Stefan scoffed, "Because I realize that killing your closest and oldest friend is beyond evil, and yet somehow, it's worthy of humor."

Damon asked, "Are you mimicking me?"

Stefan mocked, "Yes Stefan. Now that the secret society of vampire haters is off our back, I can go back to my routine of how can I destroy Stefan's life this week."

Damon smirked, "And I can go back to sulking and Elena-longing and forehead brooding. This is fun. I like this."

Stefan continued, "And I will finally reveal the ulterior motive behind my evil and diabolical return to Mystic Falls."

Damon scoffed, "Yeah. I'm done."

"That's just like you, Damon. Always have to have the last word." Claire replied

[Math Classroom.]

Bonnie seems to be tired.

Teacher droned on, "Today We're going to talk about shadow reckoning. This is a method of measuring heights by the sun's shadow. Let's say for example that we're going to measure the distance of the shadow. We're going to take this measure here, measure the length, and were going to multiply that by the height of the source. Building height can also be measured, using a …"

Bonnie see someone in the hall, Bonnie stand up and go in the hall.

Bonnie calls, "Hello" She follows Emily's figure into the woods.

Emily whispers, "Please, help me."

Bonnie asks, "Who are you?"

Emily introduced, "I'm Emily. You know that. "We're family.

Bonnie asked concerned, "Where Am I?"

Emily outstretched her hand, pointing toward the Old Fell's Church, "This is where it started. And this is where it has to end."

Bonnie: No this isn't real.

"Help me." Emily replies.

[In front of the school]

Elena asked, "Have you even talked to Bonnie?"

Caroline shook her head, "No, I'm mad at her. She needs to make the first move."

Elena rolls her eyes, "Be the Bigger Person."

Caroline shrugs, "Impossible in her presence."

Elena replies, "Why are you so pissed at her, anyway?"

Caroline said, "She's a thief. That's why. I gave her my necklace, and she refuses to give it back. It's matter of principle."

Elena shrugged her shoulders, "All right. Well, I tried. I'm officially out of it."

Caroline smiled, "Good. Where's Stefan?"

Elena shook her head, "I don't know. He's been avoiding me."

Caroline asked, "Why?"

"It's Complicated. I'll see you later." Elena replied

[History Classroom]

Elena turned to her friend, concerned, "Are you alright?"

Bonnie nods and waves her off, signaling that they would talk about it later.

"Good Morning everyone. Alrighty. Alaric Saltzman. It's mouthful. I know. Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. Saltzman is of German origins. My family emigrated here in 1755 to Texas. I, however was born and raised in Boston. Now the name Alaric belongs to a very dead great-grand-father I will never be able to thank enough. You'll probably want to pronounce "Alaric" but it's ..."Alaric", okay. So, you can call me Rick. I'm your new history teacher." Alaric said introducing himself to the class.

Alaric then turned Claire came into his line of vision, "Holy crap." He exclaimed staring at the beautiful brunette.

Caroline turned to Claire. "Claire, why is the new teacher staring at you."

Claire blushed, "It's a long story, Care."

[Bonnie and Elena in front of school.]

Bonnie continued, "And then I ended up at the remains of the old Fell's church before I woke up back in the woods."

Elena replied, "And your always see your ancestor Emily."

Bonnie: scoffed, "Ha, ha. Do you believe in ghosts?

Elena trailed, "Two weeks ago I'd said no but now..."

Bonnie replied, "Because I think I'm being haunted."

Elena shook her head, confused. "I don't get it. Why Emily?"

Bonnie replied, "Gram and Claire said she was a powerful witch back in the Civil War days and this medallion was hers, a witch's talisman."

"And all started when you got the necklace?" Elena asked.

Bonnie nodded, "I think she's using it to communicate with me."

Elena asked, "Okay what does Grams say about it?"

Bonnie shook her head, "I can't call her. She's going to tell me to embrace it. I don't want to embrace it., I want it to stop."

Elena shot Bonnie a wary look before asking, "Okay what does Claire say about it?" She asked knowing from what she had managed together from Stefan and Claire that Claire had a special bond with witches and was a foremost expert on magical practice.

"I haven't told her yet. She's managing so much between helping Gran with my magic lessons and keeping her brothers from being at each other's throats. I don't want to have to trouble her with another thing, if it's nothing to be worried about in the first place." Bonnie replied

"Bonnie, this sounds serious. Promise me that you will at least mention it to Claire. You know she would want to help you." Elena replied.

"Also, the new history teacher had a really weird reaction to seeing her in class." Bonnie replied

"You think he might know about her?" Elena asked

"Stranger things have happened." Bonnie quipped

[Alaric's history classroom]

Jeremy called, "Hey Mister Saltzman, I'm Jeremy Gilbert. You wanted to see me?"

Alaric chuckled, "You know that your old teacher had a jackass file? No joke. It's...typed on a label. It has all the ...troublemakers in it, but really, it's just an opus... to you, and to the Salvatore siblings for being here such a short amount of time, damn they really left an impression. Don't worry about it. I'm not him. Clean slate. Now... let's talk about grades."

Jeremy replied, "I know it's been a rough couple of months, but I've been trying to turn them around."

Alaric nodded, "I saw that, but the problem is we're halfway through a semester and... after half a fail it is still pretty bleak, this is the part where you say to me: "But what can I do to change that? "I'm glad you asked. How do you feel about extra credit?"

Jeremy nodded, "Yeah, yeah totally. Whatever."

Alaric smiled, "Good. Write me a paper then."

Jeremy replied, "Okay. About what?"

Alaric said, "History. Pick a topic. Keep it local and no Wikipedia regurgita. These old towns have a rich history so just... get your hands dirty, make it sing and your back on track. Deal?"

"Yeah. Deal, That's a cool ring." Jeremy said pointing to the ring on Alaric's finger.

"Oh thanks. It was my father's. A little garish, but family. You know. You got a week." Alaric responded kindly

[Caroline walks out of the school without her friends]

Matt said awkwardly, "Hey"

Caroline responded, "Hey, what is that?"

Matt asked, "What is what?"

Caroline scoffed, "The 'hey'. "That's twice. That is two heys. That... do you have any other words in your vocabulary? Caroline asked annoyed

Matt confused asked, "What's wrong with 'hey'?"

Caroline scoffs, "It reeks of awkward subtext. You spent the night in my bed, there was ...cuddling and then you stuck out before dawn so you wouldn't have to face me, which I must say is a total lame guy that I did not appreciate. And now with the heys? Serously? I mean, I may have been some pathetic, insecure mess after the party but, do not mistake that for me being a pushover, because I do not let guys mess with my head anymore."

Matt said, "I heard your mom in the morning, and I didn't want to get you in trouble, so I went out high window."

Caroline continued, "You went out the window? Another lame guy moves."

Matt replied, "Your mom's the sheriff. And as for the heys, I'm pretty sure it's what I've said you every day since the first grade. Trying to read something into it ... lame girl moves."

[Elena sees Stefan outside of the school]

Elena smiles, "You weren't in class. I was worried. Claire said she didn't know where you were."

Stefan nodded, "I got your messages, and sorry I didn't get back to you, but...What I want to say shouldn't be said over the phone."

Elena rolled her eyes, "A simple " We didn't kill our brother" text would have sufficed."

Stefan shrugged, "I didn't kill my brother and neither did Claire, as much as he deserved it. He has to thank you for that."

Elena continued, "So what did you want to tell me?"

Stefan replied, "I won't be coming to school anymore. I'm going to back off and keep my distance. It's the right thing to do."

"And Claire?" she asked

Stefan shrugged, "I can't say what she'll do. She has to protect Bonnie and all that witch nonsense."

Elena continued, "So you're backing off from school or...from me? Thank you for telling me."

Stefan replied, "It's better this way."

Elena scoffed, "Yep. I got it."

Stefan said, "You're angry. That's good. Be easier if you hate me."

Damon threatened Bonnie, "Okay, it's your last chance."

"I'm going to scream." Bonnie cried.

Damon stated, "Don't do that. Let's stay on point. I want my necklace."

Bonnie replied, "You can't have it."

Damon pled, "I can't take it, but you can give it to me. I'm trying to help you here."

Bonnie shook her head, "I don't want your help."

Damon offered, "You do want my help, and you don't even know it. You know why, you little witch? Cause you've stumbled into something you need to stumble out of."

"Just leave me alone or I swear..." Bonnie trailed

Damon said, "Don't. No threats. A, you hurt me last time. B, I wish you no harm. I have desire to go back to war with my younger sister. Believe it or not Bonnie, I want to protect you. We're on the same side. Let me help you get Emily off your Back."

Bonnie looked surprised, "How do you know about her?"

Damon replied, "I know a lot of things, and I know more about that crystal than you do, and I know that she's using it to creep inside of you. See how scared you are? And you should be, because I will get that crystal, even if I have to wait for Emily to give to me herself. Next time she comes out to play, you tell her...That a deal's a deal."

It was at this moment Claire walked up, "Bonnie, is Damon bothering you?" she asked concerned. Claire glared at her brother who had the arrogance to threaten one of her charges.

"Let's just go Claire." Bonnie said.

[Bonnie, Claire and Elena in Bonnie's car.]

"He's bad news, Claire. He really scared me." Bonnie stammered anxiously

Claire nodded "You're not wrong. You need to stay as far away from Damon as possible."

"I know. I don't understand what he wants with me." Bonnie replied.

"I'll talk to him, Bonnie. He won't bother you again. Don't worry." Claire said reassuringly.

Bonnie said, "I'm trying. He just keeps showing up."

"Listen, little witch, you are a Bennet. They are fearsome and brave. Their courage rises with every attempt to intimidate them. You have nothing to fear, Bonnie. You are not alone." Claire promised.

Elena who had fallen silent pipped in, "I don't want you to be alone. You're sleeping at my place tonight. We can make a whole night out of it. Claire, are you in?"

"I have to go meet Jenna at the Grill, but I'd totally be down for later." Claire said brightly.

Bonnie quickly stopped the car.

"Where are you going? Are you okay?" asked Elena and Claire almost simultaneously.

Bonnie nodded as she threw the amulet in the trash, "Now I am. All my problems were because of that thing. Can't believe I didn't do that sooner."

At her actions, Claire internally scoffed, knowing that the necklace would magically find its way back to the Bennet witch. "Are you sure that's the wisest course of action, Bonnie?" she asked gently.

Elena added, "What's your Grams going to say?"

Bonnie shrugged, "Grams isn't the one being haunted by a hundred and fifty-years-old ghost, is she?"

Claire did a double take at her words, "What do you mean haunted? You've been seeing Emily? Why didn't you tell me that?" she asked curiously

"Yes, I've been seeing Emily. Her spirit leads me out to the remains of Fell's Church. I thought it was nothing." Bonnie replied. "I didn't want to worry you."

"Seeing visions or dreams of the ancestors is never nothing, and Fell's Church has quite a dark history. Let me do some digging. I have some suspicions as to why Emily would be associated with Fell's Church." Claire scolded ominously.

[Stefan and Claire]

Claire smiled warily at her brother. "Thanks for coming. I wouldn't have called if it wasn't important. I thought we could declare an armistice, at least a temporary one."

Stefan nodded, "I know that. Elena texted me that Damon has been threatening Bonnie."

"Yes, she has Emily's old necklace, and Damon for some reason wants it. Caroline got it from Damon, and gave it to Caroline, and now Damon wants it back. He's tormenting her in the process." Claire replied.

"Can't your all-powerful magic deal with the problem?" Stefan scoffed.

"Of course, I can curse Damon with some nasty magic, but I'd rather take an opportunity to focus on the bigger picture. We've both been wondering why Damon returned, and what he truly wants with all of this chaos. This is a perfect opportunity to find out." Claire retorted.

Stefan asked, "Seems dumb that he would put forth so much effort over a necklace"

"It's not just any necklace. It's a witch's talisman, a place to store magic, but it puzzles me why Damon would want it. It's not like he can use it. Claire replied

Stefan continued, "Something tells me that there is more that is concerning you, especially if you're willing to set aside all of our issues."

Claire nodded, "She's also having visions of the ruins of Fell's Church. You know as well as I do, that the church was the resting place of the vampires that came to our town long ago. Somehow this is all connected, Damon's return to town, the amulet, Emily Bennet, and the vampire's that were killed in Fell's Church."

"There's more, out with it." Stefan barked

Claire threw up her hands, "That talisman had such a reaction to Bonnie… I'm worried that Emily's spirit might use it to try to possess her. There's a definition connection between whatever Damon's plans are for this town and Emily."

"I don't know, but I'm going to find it out. Why don't we go talk to Damon each separately? With the two us comparing notes, he's bound to slip up and reveal something." Stefan offered.

"He wouldn't expect a team up after all we have done lately to be at each other's throats. What else can we do. I'll have to do it later, though I have plans with Jenna." Claire said shrugging her shoulders.

Jenna and Jeremy at the Grill. Claire walks up and greets the pair.

"Hi Claire. I'm so glad we could do this again." Jenna said.

Claire laughed, "Me too." she quipped.

"Only a few more months and you'll finish up your classes, right?" Jenna asked. "Any ideas about college programs?"

"Yeah, I'm in an accelerated program. I have one more class and I'll have completed my diploma. I'm thinking about double majoring in literature and psychology." Claire replied.

"I'm a psychology student. I can tell you all about the program." Jenna said excitedly. Claire seemed like an old soul, and even though she had to be close to Elena's age, she felt at ease with her.

Somewhere in the middle of the conversation, Claire's eyes began to wander to the man at the bar… Alaric.

Jeremy immediately spotted her interest "She's staring at Alaric."

Claire smiled, "I like a man who can dine alone. A quiet strength."

Jenna laughed, "It certainly is an appealing trait."

Jeremy smiled at the two of them, "I thought you were still in that whole Logan depression thing, and Claire, I thought you had that flirtation with Tyler."

Jenna rolled her eyes, "I've sworn off men forever, but it doesn't mean I can't observe them from a safe distance."

"And Tyler and I are just going to be really good friends." Claire added.

Jeremy smiled at the pair's antics, "Well, I can introduce you to him Aunt Jenna."

Back to Jenna and Jeremy at the grill

Jenna asked, "Have you picked a topic?"

Jeremy shook his head, "No, not yet. It's going to be local and non-internet research, so... "

Jenna offered, "That's easy. You got all your dad's stuff. "

Jeremy asked, "What stuff?"

"How the Gilberts came over on the Mayflower stuff, all that family lineage from way back. Your dad really loved all that family history stuff. It's all boxed up in the closet." Jenna recounted.

Alaric joins Jenna, Claire and Jeremy.

Jeremy stated, "Mister Saltzman."

Alaric asked, "Jeremy. What's up, man?"

Jeremy pointed to the two women that sat with him at the table, "This is my aunt Jenna and our family friend Claire Salvatore, who you might know from class."

Alaric said, "Alaric Saltzman. It's nice to meet you."

Jenna replied with a bright smile, "Jeremy was just telling us about his paper. Thanks for giving him another chance."

Alaric replied, "It was my first day. I wanted to make a good impression."

[Salvatore House]

Damon started, "So ...You know, I been thinking. I think we should start over, give this brother thing another chance. We used to do it, oh, so well once upon time.

Stefan scoffed, "I don't, Damon. I can't trust you to be a nice guy. You kill everybody, and you're so mean. You're so mean, and ... You're really hard to imitate, and then I have to go to that lesser place."

Damon shrugged, "Hey, I didn't kill anyone today."

"Well the day is still young, and what do you want from me, Damon, a gold star for your valiant efforts?" Stefan retorted back.

Damon chuckled, "Sharp wit for you, Stef, admit it, you've been taking notes from Claire bear."

Stefan rolled his eyes, "So what's with the bottle?" he asked

Damon replied, "I'm on edge. Crash diet, and I'm trying to keep a low profile."

Stefan scoffed, "You could always just leave, find a new town to turn into your own personal gas and sip."

Damon shook his head, "I'll manage. I'm keeping the trigger-happy humans off of our back."

"Yes, because if we die, I'm going to spend the rest of our afterlife reminding you that this was all your fault." Stefan retorted back.

"Cool, I wouldn't mind having company while being a ghost. Anyway, that beside the point, I've got my homicidal urges under control. You don't have to keep an eye on me." Damon replied.

Stefan shrugged, "I'm not here to keep an eye on you. I am not the mystical sober companion and guardian, that would be our annoying sister."

Damon scoffed, "So why are you here? It's not like you are concerned about me."

"Why not? I'll try to have a serious conversation with you." Stefan replied.

"And I'll continue to try to subtly avoid such things." Damon retorted

"You haven't had a subtle moment in your life." Stefan quipped.

[Caroline, Bonnie and Elena at Elena's place.]

Caroline said, "I'm sorry. There. I said it. If you want the ugly-ass necklace, keep it. It's yours."

Bonnie asked, "Will you hate me if I tell you I threw it away?"

Caroline questioned angrily, "You threw it away?"

Bonnie said, "I know it sounds crazy, but the necklace was giving me nightmares. I had to get rid of it."

Caroline replied, "You could have just given it back to me."

Elena questioned, "Why? So, you could give it back to Damon?"

Caroline scoffed, "Screw Damon. Are we doing manicures or what? Who has their kit?"

Bonnie smiled, "Mine's in my bag."

Caroline asked, "So Elena. How long do you think this fight with Stefan's going to last? Is it...like a permanent thing?"

Elena shrugged, "I don't know Caroline."

Caroline catching her eye on Emily's necklace, questioned angrily, "Why are you such a little liar, Bonnie?"

Bonnie shocked asked, "What?"

Elena cried, "Caroline!"

Bonnie threw up her hands in a sign of peace, "I'm not lying to you, Caroline. I swear."

Elena nodded, "It's true. I watched her throw it into a field."

Caroline scoffed, "Then explain it."

"Emily." Bonnie replied sharply

Caroline asked puzzled, "Who's Emily?"

Bonnie said, "The ghost."

Caroline scoffed, "The ghost has a name now?"

Elena continued, "Caroline, please."

Bonnie replied, "I wonder why she won't leave me alone."

Caroline asked, "What is going on? Why am I not a part of this conversation? You guys do this to me all the time."

Elena disputed, "That's not true."

Bonnie replied, "Yes, it is. I can't talk to you. You don't listen."

Caroline shook her head, "That's not true."

"I'm a witch." Bonnie stated flatly

Caroline questioned sharply, "And don't we all know it?"

Bonnie scoffed in frustration, "See? That's what I'm talking about. I'm trying to tell you something. You don't even hear it."

"I listen. When do I not listen?" Caroline asked.

[Mystic Grill]

Jenna turned to Claire, "Jeremy totally ditched me. I have to head out, next week, the usual time?" Their weekly coffee get togethers were a refreshing spot of normal for both the Gilbert guardian and Claire.

"Why don't we take a walk, Miss Salvatore.", Alaric turned to Claire, "So are you from here? Are you a townie?"

Claire nodded, "I'm a returnee sort of. My family is from her. We left town for a while. Now I'm back with my feuding brothers in tow."

"Why are they arguing" Alaric asked genuinely

Claire scoffed, "It's rather cliché to admit. Those two have so much bad blood because of a girl, their ex, Katherine. It's a complicated mess."

Alaric replied, "What'd she does?"

"Basics...Lied, cheated, lured them back in, left me to deal with the broken pieces she left behind again. Your turn. Any sad and tragic past stories?" Claire asked

Alaric chuckled, "The basics...Fell in love, married young, my wife died."

"Oh. Waugh." Claire stated a bit shocked.

Alaric blushed slightly, "That's always a good conversation stopper."

Claire asked, "What happened?"

Alaric continued, "Well, you, me and the ... North Carolina department are all wondering the same thing. It's what's known as a cold case."

"So, why'd you move here?" Claire asked

Alaric replied, "A change of pace, new scenery. I like it here. It's ... got a rich story. What did you say your brothers' names were?"

Claire glanced at him almost suspiciously, "I actually didn't, both their names are Damon and Stefan."

"Damon Salvatore, that's a unique name. Not many people use names like Damon and Stefan anymore." Alaric replied. "How about you explain how you came to be in my class, and when were you going to tell me that you were a vampire." Alaric asked roughly, Claire turned her head to see a stake pointing at her heart.

"Ric, I can explain." She replied raising her hands in surrender. "Just give me ten minutes to explain."

[Salvatore House]

Stefan and Damon are playing Darts. "Lucky shot." Damon called

Stefan shook his head, slightly smiling, "More like a carefully honed skill over many decades."

Damon scoffed, "You're beating me."

Stefan smirked, "Yeah. It's because I'm better than you."

Damon retorted, "I'm onto you. Reverse psychology. It's a little transparent, but I admire the effort.

Stefan laughed, "You prefer the brooding forehead?"

Damon chuckled, "Seriously, what game do you think you're playing?"

Stefan replied, "That's funny question considering the fact that I have been asking you that for month. It's frustrating isn't it?"

Damon quipped back, "Touché."

[Alaric and Claire]

"So, I take it your story has a bit more to it than you said. I'm guessing that your wife didn't just go missing."

"As for convincing me not to stake you, so far you aren't doing the greatest of jobs." Alaric retorted

"I'm a vampire, but I think you knew that when I said who my brothers were. I'm guessing you have a history with my elder brother, Damon, and that he is responsible for the disappearance of your wife." Claire replied

"Bingo." Alaric replied. "This drove me to look into my wife's research to learn what I could."

"Then you should know who I am. I am the Salvatore hybrid. Half witch, half vampire and still in full grasp of my humanity." Claire said

"And I should believe you why? Nothing in my research or in Isabel's ever suggested that such a thing was possible." Alaric asked.

"Did you say Isabel?" Claire asked

"Yes, my wife's name is Isabel. "

"Isabel Flemming by chance?" Claire asked.

"Yes." Alaric replied, "How do you know that name."

"Lucky guess. Ric, your wife isn't dead, she's a vampire. Damon told me the story, she came to him asking questions about an ancestor of hers, Katerina Petrova, and asked him to turn her." Claire replied feeling slightly guilty that she wasn't telling the whole story, but the details of her knowledge of Isabel's past were to remain secret, at least for now. It was for Alaric, Elena, and her brothers own good that she kept these secrets from them. She had promised Eli that she would help him trade the doppelgänger's life for the lives of his long-imprisoned siblings. She owed Elijah more than she could ever repay. Claire looked down at her phone, checking the time. Seeing eight missed calls from Elena, twelve from Caroline and several from Bonnie as well, she smiled softly at Ric, "Look, I have to meet Bonnie, Elena, and Caroline. It's important. I have to help keep them safe. I promise no harm will come to them, and I will come find you later and answer all of your questions."

"I'll hold you to that, Claire." Alaric replied in a rare show of trust.

"Flawless hybrid instincts, Ric, I know that you don't want to hurt me. I'll keep up my end of the bargain." Claire quipped

[Elena's house.]

Claire knocked on the door of Elena's house.

"Finally, I thought you weren't coming or something." Elena said worriedly

"Sorry, things got a bit complicated. I ran into a friend after meeting Jenna. Hopefully there aren't any more crisis's, my schedule is already full right now." Claire replied

Elena motioned for Claire to follow her into the kitchen to get snacks.

Claire mattered under her breath, "When this is all over, I want my sanity back."

Caroline said, "Bonnie. Look it's just not me. I don't believe in the...But if you do, then...Okay. I'm in. That's all it takes for me to jump onboard, because I consider you to be my best friend. And I'm saying this knowing that Elena and Claire are in the kitchen listening to my every word. I didn't know how this was for you, but I'm listening now. Elena, Claire, you can come in now. We're done. There is just way too much drama in this room. So, what do you guys want to do? I have an idea. Why don't we have a séance?"

Bonnie said cautiously, "I don't think that's a good idea."

"This couldn't possibly go horribly wrong." Claire quipped

Caroline rolled her eyes, "Come on. Let's summon some spirits. This Emily chick has some serious explaining to do. They start the séance."

Bonnie asked, "What are we doing?"

Elena: I don't know.

Caroline replied, "Be quiet and concentrate. Close your eyes. Now take a deep breath. Bonnie, call to her.

Bonnie asked, "Emily, are you there?"

Caroline scoffed, "Really? 'Emily you there?' That's all you got? Come on. Fine. Jeez."

"Emily, I call on you. I know you have a message. I'm here to listen." Bonnie called.

Unease filled Claire. She could feel a presence in the room, an unnatural spiritual presence. Summoning spirits of ancestors was a dangerous game to play, even with spirits that had once been friendly and kind in their human lives. The Other Side had a way of changing supernatural spirits, damaging them, warping and destroying their humanity.

Elena continued, "Did that just..."

Caroline nodded, "Yeah. It just happened."

"It's just air conditioning." Bonnie replied nervously

Caroline continued, "Ask her to show you a sign. Ask her. Emily if you're among us, show us another sign."

"This is a really, really bad idea, guys. Messing around with the spirits is not something to be done lightly or done for fun, Caroline. These kinds of actions have consequences, ones that we might not be able to predict or defend against." Claire warned.

Bonnie glared at Caroline, unnerved my Claire's words of warning. "See? It's not working. I can't I'm done. Get the light. Please get the light on."

Elena nodded, "Hold on. I got it."

Bonnie gasped, "You guys, the necklace, it's gone."

"Something's wrong." Claire said soberly. "I have to head out find my brothers, something tells me that Damon is up to some trouble."

[Stefan and Damon at the football stadium.]

Damon scoffed, "What are we doin' here? Bonding. Catch. Go on."

Stefan offered, "Give it a try."

Damon smirked, "Don't forget who taught you how to play this game. That hurt."

"Downside of my diet ...getting hit actually hurts a little bit."

Damon chuckled, "I'm impressed Stefan. Fun Booze and darts, sentimental football, and now starry night. What do you want, Stefan?"

"It wasn't real, Damon. Our love for Katherine. She compelled us. We didn't have a choice. Took me years to sort that out, to truly understand what she did to us." Stefan recounted.

Damon shook his head, "We are not takin' that tonight."

Stefan asked, "What do you want with Katherine's crystal."

"How do you know about that?"

"Come on. You knew Elena would tell me." Stefan retorted back sarcastically

Damon questioned, "How do you know it was Katherine's?"

Stefan replied, "Emily gave it to her on her last night. I was with her, and you weren't. I was the last one to see her. Now, what do you want with Katherine's crystal?"

"She didn't tell you?"

"We had other things on our mind." Stefan quipped hostilely

Damon threatened, "I could rip your heart out and not think twice about it."

"How about you save that for another day, Damon, maybe pencil it in between murders next Tuesday?" Claire quipped stepping out from the shadows and placing herself in between the brothers.

Stefan noting the concern in Claire's eyes, "What's going on Claire?"

"Bonnie is in danger. I think that Emily is going to possess her to do something. I'm not sure quite what." Claire stated anxiously.

Stefan replied, "That's crazy. Could Emily even do that?"

"I believe the local expression is 'three galloons of crazy in a two-gallon bucket'." Claire quipped back

Damon said, "Perfect, everything is falling into place. I have a bigger surprise, siblings of mine. I'm going to bring her back."

"Just perfect." Claire groaned in annoyance. "Dammit, I'm going to have to shoot someone. It takes a very special kind of idiot to think this is a good life plan."

[Back to Stefan and Damon.]

Stefan scoffed, "How can you bring Katherine back?"

"And how's that related to Emily Bennet trying to possess Bonnie, out with the details of this grand scheme you got cooking, Damon." Claire spat out in annoyance. Just what she needed to deal with right now, one of her emotionally damaged and rejected brothers needing coddling and causing mayhem.

Damon smirked, "Before Katherine and the others were killed in the church, you remember what it was like in this town?"

Claire quipped, "Everyone was trigger-happy and crazy pants, go on."

Stefan nodded in agreement, "I remember the fear and the hysteria."

Damon recounted, "Townspeople were killing vampires one by one. When they came for Katherine, I went straight to Emily said, 'I'll do anything. Name your price; Just protect her.' She did."

Stefan asked, "How?" in almost disbelief.

Claire scoffed at Stefan's question, "More importantly, Damon, why did she spare Kat? It's not like Emily had the warm fuzzy feelings leftover for Katherine."

Damon continued, "She did some kind of spell with the crystal. And while the church was burning, we thought Katherine was burning in it. She wasn't. I bartered the life and protection of Emily's children and descendants in exchange for her sparing Katherine."

Claire nodded. It made sense that Emily would take that deal. She remembered that time quite vividly, as one of the last moments she remained fully human. Her supernatural transformation had happened soon after Katherine's death and right before Emily's death by burning at the stake. She remembered a desperate Damon taking her bloody, broken body to Emily for healing, the beginning of her life as a hybrid and a guardian of the Bennet line.

Stefan shook his head in protest, "But I saw her go inside."

Damon continued, "There's a tomb underneath the church. The spell sealed Katherine in that tomb, protecting her. "

Stefan questioned, "Are you telling me that Katherine's alive?"

"Damon, you seriously think Katherine is in that church? Also, why should you save her, she's a horrible, backstabbing, person shaped monster in a black leather clad shell with the personality of arsenic-laced sweet tea." Claire retorted

Damon nodded, "If that's what you want to call it. She's been trapped in a mystical holding cell for the last century and a half, but you're an expert on a starving a vampire, so how do you think she's doing, Stefan? Did you know that witches can use celestial events to draw energy into their magic?"

Claire scoffed, "Duh. I did, living witch expert."

Damon rolled his eyes, "Know it all, Well, I didn't, and I bet Steffy didn't either. But in order to give the crystal power, Emily used the comet that was passing overhead, and in order for that crystal to work again..."

Stefan whispered, "The comet had to return."

Damon nodded, "Downside...Long time it between comets and a couple of hiccups along the way with the crystal but the comet passed, and I got the crystal. And then Caroline got the crystal, and now Bonnie has the crystal and here we are."

"Damon this is one of your craziest ideas, and that is a competitive field." Claire replied

Stefan asked, "Why would Emily...Why would she do this for you?"

Damon elaborated on his earlier words, "Because she knew they were going to come for her, too, and she made me promise that her lineage would survive."

"They only came for Emily because of Katherine. Who else do you think told the Founder's Council about her abilities?" Claire challenged angrily. She understood much of Katherine's actions. Katherine was a survivor that would always place her life above the life of any of those around her. She knew that much from her own experience and from what Elijah had told her. She admired the plucky brunette and considered her a friend and an occasional ally, but Emily's death had always seemed so unnecessary. It seemed pointless in Katherine's quest to evade the originals.

Stefan replied, "I remember. You saved her children."

Damon threatened, "It's the only thing keeping me from ripping that little Bonnie girl's throat out to get my crystal back. Well. A deal's a deal. So... You want to go throw some more?"

"Aw, look at him, so young and willing to get himself killed." Claire snapped. "That and you need her and I to perform this unholy voodoo ritual to get your beloved Katherine out from under that tomb." Claire spat.

"You were always the smart one of us, Claire." Damon quipped. "You'll help me or so be it, I'll rip out the throat of every puny little human that you have befriended."

"You want to go toe to toe with me, D? Game on." Claire challenged. She flashed herself forward and snapped his neck. Turning to Stefan, "You keep an eye on him. I need to find Bonnie, a night like tonight. I can feel the spirits growing restless and moving. Something is about to happen." Without another word, she flashed away leaving Stefan with the body of their temporarily dead brother.

[Back to Elena's house.]

Caroline: I can't believe I fell for it.

Elena asked concerned, "Are you okay?"

Bonnie/Emily stated, "I must go."

Caroline tried to follow suit, "She's leaving. I'm leaving."

Claire walked back in, "Wait, nobody go anywhere."

Elena agreed, "You guys can't leave."

Caroline rolled her eyes, "I can. I've had enough freaky fake witch stuff for one night."

Bonnie/Emily said, "Thank you for having me. I'll take it from here?"

Elena questioned, "Where are you going?"

Bonnie/Emily replied mysteriously, "Back to where it all began."

"Elena, that's not Bonnie. That's Emily Bennet." Claire said shakily

Elena cried, "Bonnie! Bonnie! Oh My God! Emily!"

"Hello, Clarissa, my old friend. I am proud of the woman you have become and the way you have faithfully served my family." Bonnie/Emily said gently.

"If you weren't currently possessing your descendent and my current charge, this would be a sweet moment. What are you doing here, Emily?" Claire asked sharply

Bonnie/Emily replied anxiously, "I won't let him have it. It must be destroyed. I need your help." She grabbed Claire by the arm, and then chanted a spell causing the pair to vanish.

Elena alarmed at the sudden disappearance, cried out, "Wait!"

Caroline shocked cried, "What just happened?"

Elena shook her head, "I don't know. The door, it's not..."

Jeremy comes in. "What the hell?" he asked seeing the insanity that he walked into.

"I'm outta here." Caroline states flatly before heading out the door and away from all of the chaos that had ensued.

Elena turned to Jeremy, "Call Stefan."

Stefan asks over the phone, "What's wrong?"

Elena cries, "It's Bonnie."

"What happened?" Stefan asks anxiously.

"Emily is possessing her. She said something." Elena continues fearfully.

Stefan questions, "What did she say?"

"She said "I won't let him have it. It must be destroyed. And then she just left. She vanished Claire with her."

"Where do you think she went?"

Elena said, "I don't know. Fell's Church, by the old cemetery that's where she took Bonnie in her dreams. We have to help her, Stefan."

Stefan replied, "Just stay there. I'm going to go find her."

[At the Old Fell's church.]

Damon quips, "Hello Emily. You look different, and you brought alongside my annoying little sister."

Bonnie/Emily shook her head, "I won't let you do it, and she's my insurance policy that this body walks away unharmed."

Claire waved at the pair, "She has a name people, can you quit talking about me like I'm not just standing next to you."

Damon smirked at his sister's comments, "We had a deal."

Bonnie/Emily replied, "Things are different now. I need to protect my family."

"I protected your family. You owe me." Damon protests.

Bonnie/Emily nods, "I know. I'm sorry."

"You're about to be a lot more than that." Damon threatens

"Damon, watch it." Claire replied.

[Back to Emily, Claire and Damon.]

Damon replied, "It hurts. This is why I feed on people."

Bonnie/Emily calls, "Stefan."

"Hello Emily." Stefan replied.

Bonnie/Emily shook her head, "These people don't deserve this. They should never have to know such evil."

Stefan questioned, "What do you mean evil?"

"Emily. I swear to God I'll make you regret this." Damon threatens angrily.

Bonnie/Emily pled, "I won't let you unleash them into this world."

Stefan asked confusedly, "Them? What part of the story did you leave out?"

Damon scoffs, "What does it matter?"

"Emily, tell me what you did." Claire declared passionately.

Bonnie/Emily continues, "To save her, I had to save them."

Claire asked in disbelief, "You saved everyone in the church?"

Bonnie/Emily nodded in almost shame, "With ones comes all."

Damon scoffed, "I don't care about that. I just want Katherine."

"At what cost, Damon? At the cost of every vampire being released from that tomb for the nonexistent possibility that Katherine is still under there waiting for her knight in shiny black leather to come and rescue her so that they can live psychotically ever after." Claire spat. She knew for a fact that Katherine wasn't under that church, and yet even though she had repeatedly at least expressed that she had doubts to Katherine's whereabouts in the tomb, her brothers continued to ignore her words. She supposed that this was a kind of sick justice for all of the lies that she had told and would continue to spin regarding Elena.

Stefan scoffed, "I knew I shouldn't have believed a single word that comes out of your mouth. This isn't about love, is it? This is about revenge."

Damon smirked, "The two aren't mutually exclusive."

"Damon, you can't do this." Claire pled. Her magic was behaving strangely almost like Emily was channeling her. She didn't trust her ability to stop her brother with Emily's strong influence weighing so heavily down upon her.

Damon shook his head in disgust, "Why not? They killed 27 people, and they called it a war battle. They deserve whatever they get."

Stefan replied, "27 vampires, Damon. They were vampires. You can't just bring them back."

Damon rolled his eyes, "This town deserves this."

"No, they don't." Claire clipped back.

Stefan continued, "You're blaming innocent people for something that happened 145 years ago."

Damon scoffed, "There is nothing innocent about these people, and don't think for a second it won't happen again. They already know too much, and they'll burn your little grandwitch right next to us when they find out. Trust me."

Claire scoffed, "Over my dead body will that happen."

Bonnie/Emily pled, "Things are different now."

Damon pled, "Don't do this."

Bonnie/Emily replied, "I can't free them. I won't." She motioned to Claire, and they both chanted the spell to destroy the talisman forever, "Incendia!"

Damon cried in anguish, "No! No please.

Elena cried, "Bonnie!"

Damon yelled, "No!" Emily threw the necklace, and it gets destroyed, in retaliation Damon bites Bonnie.

Claire finally freed from Emily's influence, sharply pulls Damon away from Bonnie throwing him into a tree.

Stefan said, "She's alive, but barely. I can save her."

Elena pointed towards Bonnie's neck, "Her neck, it's healing."

Claire smiled, "A little bit of magic from my end and on hers. Get Bonnie out of here, I need to catch up with Damon. I'll try to keep the damage and bloodshed down to a minimum."

[Back to the Woods.]

Damon replied, "Katherine never compelled me. I knew everything every step of the way. It was real for me. I'll leave now."

"Damon, I cared about her too, but she used people and threw them away. It's long past time that you saw reality and moved on." Claire said sharply

"You took away my chance to see her again."

"I tried to help you, to put what was truly best for you first because you're my brother and I love you." Claire cried out.

Bonnie mumbled, "I don't understand. Elena, what happened to me? He attacked me, and... his face was like..."

Elena replied softly, "How do you feel? Are you okay?"

Bonnie nodded, "I'm fine. It's just this blood. I don't... Where did Claire go?"

Stefan replied, "I'm not gonna hurt you. My sister went to find Damon and keep him from hurting anyone else."

"What's going on?" Bonnie asked weakly.

"I'll explain everything. Okay? Let's just get out of here. Look at me. Trust me. He's not going to hurt you. Come on. Come on. Is she in danger of becoming..." Elena trailed off.

Stefan shook his head, "No, she has to die with my blood in her system, so keep an eye on her tonight and make sure that nothing happens and once it leaves her system, she'll be fine."

Elena declared, "I'm gonna tell her the truth."

Stefan asked, "Are you sure?"

Elena nodded, "I can trust her. I need someone to know, someone to talk to. I can't live in secret."

"I know that. Shouldn't have to." Stefan stated flatly

Elena replied, "You saved her life. I'm sorry, Stefan. I thought that ...I couldn't be with you, but I can. You don't have to push me away. I can do this."

Stefan backed away, "I can't. I have to leave. Too many people have died. Too much has happened."

Elena protested, "What? No. I know you think you're protecting me but..."

"I have to. Coming home was...it was a mistake. I can't be a part of your life anymore."

Elena pled, "Don't go Stefan. Please...You don't have to. This is your home. Please don't go."

Stefan whispered, "Good-bye, Elena."

Elena glared at his words, "You're just going to walk away? Don't walk away, Stefan!" she pled.

[Gilbert House]

Logan called, "Hello Jenna."

Jenna shouted in surprise, "Logan!"

Logan smirked, Well, aren't you going to invite me in?"

[Mystic Grill]

"What happened? What was the big emergency?" Alaric asked Claire gently

"Family trouble, the usual craziness of my two brothers, Stefan and Damon, the near bringing about of the apocalypse, I think a demon was summoned at one-point, typical Wednesday stuff ya know?" Claire chuckled lightly

Alaric laughed at her obvious sarcasm. "So, what are you really? You promised big answers to all of my big questions, Claire."

"I am Clarissa Giuliana Salvatore, and my story really began in the 1860's when my brother, Damon joined up with the Confederate Army to fight the North. The family I had left during this time consisted of my twin brother, Stefan, and my father, Giuseppe, what a piece of work he was. In 1864, a mysterious stranger came to town, claiming to be an orphan from Atlanta. Her name was Katherine Pierce or so she claimed. She was an exact carbon copy of Elena Gilbert, save for one tiny detail, she was a blood thirsty, cruel vampire. She was running from some very powerful people and had decided my town was a good safe haven for her and her allies at the time. Many, many people died in the crossfire, and because of her schemes and Emily Bennet's interventions, when Stefan nearly sucked me dry after his transformation, I became a hybrid."

"A hybrid, how is that possible?" Alaric asked in amazement.

"Some divine prophecy crap that one of the Bennet ancestors deemed that I would be the chosen one to save the world by finding true love with a man of two worlds, one that had committed great acts of violence and pain against the supernatural community. Thus, I am fully witch, and fully vampire. I don't have to channel the magic of my vampirism to perform feats of magic. I still retain connections with the earth and the ancestors." Claire continued

"The chosen one, huh?"

Claire scoffed "I can't be the chosen one, I can barely make myself breakfast some days. I never wanted that kind of responsibility, and I don't believe in that supernatural destiny mumbo jumbo. I believe that we choose our own fates."

"And the man that the prophecy speaks of?"

Claire shook her head as if shaking off the memories. It was physically painful to try to remember what had happened during that period of her life. What little she did know had come from Kat, Eli and Lexi, not that Eli and Lexi knew that she had made contact with the Petrova. "His brother is one of my closest friends. I have some sort of history with him, it just gets kind of hazy when I try to remember it almost like it was a dream, or like there is some part of my mind that isn't allowing me to remember. What I know of him from my sources, I'd have to be hexed to want to end up with him."

"So how does my wife, Isabel, play into all of this?"

"She's a descendent of Katherine's bloodline. Kat's not cursed somewhere down in that tomb. She's working in the world, most likely through Isabel. I don't think for a second that Katherine would pass up the chance to torment my brother's and possibly earn amnesty." Claire declared passionately.

"Amnesty? From who? And how? And for what?" Alaric asked

"Now that's an even longer story, and I just gave you the cliff notes of mine. I don't even fully know half the details to Katherine's backstory." Claire lied. "So are we cool, because I rather like you even for a vampire hunting, whiskey drinking, high school history teacher."

"I sense that I can trust you, and I rather like you, myself even for a magic wielding, vampire-witch hybrid that is posing as a high school student." Alaric quipped before giving Claire a passionate kiss. The pair fall asleep quietly in each other's arms.

[New York]

"Lexi, be honest. How is she?" Eli asked. His voice betraying more than a little concern at reports he had received on his friend's recent actions.

Lexi grimaced, "She's a bit in over her head, Eli, navigating all of these alliances, lies and relationships. It's not her. She's not the king maker that you've tried to fashion her to be. Her weaknesses are also her strengths: her compassion, her sincerity and her fierce loyalty to those she loves." Claire was a warrior, not a master manipulator.

"She's having a hard time with it all, knowing that she may have to betray the doppelgänger to her death?" he asked kindly

Lexi chuckled, "You know Claire will come up with some sort of magical solution, or if Elena gets irritating enough, she may just let her die. Who knows? I'm sure it will be vastly entertaining to watch though."Lexi knew that if Elena step in between her brothers, that Claire would have no qualms with her eventual death.

"Elena Gilbert is the doppelgänger as we suspected. Funny, how Clarissa managed to keep those details pretty vague." Elijah stated softly.

Lexi quipped back, "Funny, how you never told Claire the truth of what happened to her in Chicago in the 20's, why she doesn't fully remember, her relationship with Klaus, and that he's the one the prophecy refers to." Lexi had been called in by Claire before her trip to Chicago that fateful time. Claire had asked her to come to the city because she might need the help with Stefan. Lexi's orders from Elijah were to keep tabs on his younger brother and sister, he had heard that Mikael had been sighted in their last location, and he wanted extra eyes and ears to potentially help his estranged siblings.

"I did that for her own good." Elijah scoffed

Lexi shook her head, "No, you did that for your own good, and you know it. She loved him once, and for the unfeeling bastard he can be, I saw with my own eyes that he felt the same. If you don't do something, history will repeat itself all over again."

"She can't love what she doesn't remember. He and that witch saw to that. He abandoned her." Elijah stated ignoring the implication of Lexi's words. It would do him no good to admit his feelings for his dearest friend. It would sign his own death warrant, and further divide his family.

"He protected her. If she would have died, he would have followed suit." Lexi countered. She had seen the fierce look that Eli's brother had always cast towards her friend. It would be sweet if he wasn't a homicidal and emotionally unstable maniac.

"That's not passion, Alexia, that's obsession." Elijah stated flatly, almost in anger. Claire was no one's property, least of all his brother's.

Lexi laughed, "You're one to talk, last time she was here, you stared at her so long it was starting to get weird. Man up, Eli before it's too late."

[Paris]

A dirty blonde-haired man sits on a terrace painting with the morning light. It's a painting of Clarissa Salvatore with her long brown hair curled and pinned to look like a regular Daisy Buchannan.

Another man steps in, "Hey boss, we checked out the information that Katerina gave you."

"And?" Klaus asked sharply

"She's there." He replied

"Send some colleagues. She returned home for a reason. I want to know why, and I want her protected. Be discrete though, that town has quite a history with our kind." He dismissed his henchman and turned to focus back on his painting. "I told you I will always find you. Soon, we will be reunited once again."