Day One

Morning - Connor's Trailer

Connor entered his trailer. He placed Nate's head, which was wrapped in a blood-stained sheet, on a table.

...

Flashback

Night Before - Whitmore College - Shane's Office

Connor and Shane were talking.

"Do you have any idea what I've been through?" Connor asked. "I've spent the last two days chained up by an Original vampire."

"So, you met Klaus?" Shane asked. "I only know him by reputation. Apparently, he's a real monster."

"He's a vampire-werewolf hybrid." Connor told him. "Do you know how hard it is to kill them?"

"From what I gather, you have to remove their head or their heart." Shane told him. "That is according to lore. I'm just speculating."

Connor stepped closer. "I had to figure out how to do it on my own."

...

Now

Morning - Connor's Trailer

Connor stuck a needle into Nate's gums. He took out some of his werewolf venom.

...

Flashback

Night Before - Whitmore College - Shane's Office

Connor and Shane were talking.

"I could have used some of this occult Professor knowledge of yours." Connor told him. "Then again, you've always been slow when it comes to providing answers."

"We had a deal." Shane told him. "I'll give you answers about your Hunter's Mark when its grown to completion."

"In other words, kill as many vampires as possible." Connor stated.

"Come on, Connor." Shane told him. "Why do you think I sent you to Mystic Falls?"

...

Now

Morning - Connor's Trailer

Connor opened up a cupboard. He gathered some weapons and placed them in a duffel bag.

...

Flashback

Night Before - Whitmore College - Shane's Office

Connor and Shane were talking.

"There's no shortage of vampires." Shane told him. "That town is practically infested. Listen, there's four witches mixed up in all of this. They're important to what I have planned. I want them to be kept out of harm's way."

"Anybody gets in my way, anybody, they're dead." Connor told him.

"Okay." Shane told him. "Sure, I'll occupy them myself. Just do what you do. The less I know about it, the better."

...

Now

Morning - Town Square

Connor walked across the square with a duffel bag over his shoulder. He stopped outside the Mystic Grill.

...

Mystic Grill - Backroom

Jeremy walked into the backroom with a bin of dishes. He placed the dishes on various shelves. He suddenly heard a noise, walking closer to investigate. When he saw that nothing is there, he turned around.

Connor was behind him, putting a knife to Jeremy's throat. "Do I have your attention?" Jeremy nodded slowly, carefully. "Good. Then let's talk about vampires."

...

Gilbert House - Emma/Elena's Room

(Song:) Smother - Daughter

Elena woke up in her bed. She looked over to Alex's bed to find it empty. She got out of bed, walking toward her desk, grabbing her diary.

Elena: (voice over) "Dear diary, I know its been a while. A long while. I haven't needed... I haven't wanted to write this stuff down, but I don't want to say it out loud either. The thing is... I'm a vampire and I hate it."

...

Downstairs - Family room

Morgana sat on the window seat, looking outside,having her knees curled up to prop up her own open diary in, writing.

Morgana: (voice over) "She's been spiraling since her transition, and I barely recognize her. Almost like she's not herself anymore. But now, for the first time in a while, there's hope."

...

Emma/Elena's Room

Elena sat down on her window seat, opening her diary, beginning to write.

Elena: (voice over) "I feel hopeless, depressed, angry, but most of all; I'm scared."

...

Family Room

Morgana looked away from the window, to her diary in front of her, beginning to write.

Morgana: (voice over) "Somewhere in the world, there's a Cure for vampires. If I can get it, Elena can be human again. I can give her back her life. Maybe... Maybe I would, to have the life I once had."

...

Emma/Elena's Room

Elena continued to write in her diary.

Elena: (voice over) "Part of me just wants to end it, but then I think of Emma and Jeremy. I'm all that they have left, so I need to find a way through this. No matter what it takes."

...

Family Room

Morgana continued to write in her diary.

Morgana: (voice over) "So, that's what I need to do. What Stefan has to do. No matter what Klaus asks, no matter what lies we have to tell or secrets we have to keep, I'll do it. No matter what it takes."

...

Lockwood Mansion - Rosie's Room

Rosie sat on her bed, looking at her text from Klaus.

We have a problem.

(Song Ends)

...

Outside

Rosie walked across the grounds for privacy to talk to Klaus over the phone. "How the hell did Connor escape?"

In Italy, Klaus wandered around an excavation dig site as he chatted on the phone with Rosie.

There were many people helping to dig up the sword, presumably all compelled by Klaus.

"I'd blame my numbing incompetence, but pointing fingers isn't going to help me." Klaus told her. "You're going to help me."

"Well, he could be anywhere now." Rosie told him.

"Think, Rosie." Klaus told her. "He took the hybrid's head which means he wants werewolf toxin."

"Which means he plans to stay in Mystic Falls to kill vampires." Rosie stated.

"Which is a pity, as I'm half the world away digging up a dead Hunter, you'll have no access to my blood and therefore, the antidote." Klaus told her. "Nevertheless, his tattoo is our only map to the Cure, so your task is quite simple; find him, catch him, and above all, keep him alive. He's no good to us dead."

"Damon, Isabella and Evelyn have been looking everywhere for him, if they cross paths..." Rosie trailed off.

"You'll need to keep them in check." Klaus told her.

"How?" Rosie asked. "They don't trust me. Be a lot easier if I could just tell them the truth."

"Well, like you just said, they don't trust you." Klaus told her. "Would they really keep your secret? I imagine they'll kill you once they know everything you know."

"Nice try, Klaus." Rosie told him. "But I trust them a hell of a lot more than I trust you."

"And I trust no one." Klaus told her. "Which is why my sister is lying daggered in boxes. The more who find out about the Cure, the more who will go after it. Nations have gone to war over less. You mark my words. Tell one soul, and I will make your life a living hell. Am I understood?"

Rosie hung up, angry yet resigned.

...

Mystic Grill

The Grill was closed.

Matt was alone, getting ready to open it up. He called Jeremy and left him a voice message. "Really? Jeremy, you're half an hour late. Get here now."

Matt hung up, starting to put down the chairs from the tabletops.

Liam stood on the other side of the bar. "So, where's Elizabeth? I signed her up for something that I want to tell her about before she flips out."

"Bonnie and Sally are taking her to the Professor Shane guy so they can learn more about magic." Matt answered. "Why? What did you sign her up for?"

Liam looked around as if looking for someone who was listening, looking at Matt, whispering. "Miss Mystic."

Matt chuckled. "What?"

Liam nodded. "Mm-hmm."

"Liam, Elizabeth's gonna hate you." Matt told her.

"She'll get over it." Liam told him. "It's a set up. I'm not gonna let her see the dress or know who her escort is."

"And who is her escort?" Matt asked. Liam looked up, smiling a small smile, tilting her head. "Klaus? You set Elizabeth up with Klaus as her escort?"

Liam nodded, obviously proud of himself. "Uh-huh."

"You're right." Matt told him. "She is gonna flip."

Liam gave him a sarcastic look. "No."

Matt didn't get the chance to answer.

April walked in. "Uh... Matt?"

"Uh, hey, April." Matt told her. "We don't open until eleven."

"Oh, sorry, I wasn't like trying to scare you or stalk you or whatever." April told him. "I just-I came to ask if you've seen Rebekah."

"Why would I have seen Rebekah?" Matt asked.

"Oh, I just assumed..." April trailed off. "I mean, aren't you guys kind of like a thing?"

Matt scoffed, turning around. "Rebekah and I are not a thing."

April walked toward Matt. "Well, I-I mean I'm worried about her. She said she'd help me find stuff out about the fire that killed my dad, and then she just disappeared."

Connor pushed Jeremy into the room.

Liam looked at them worriedly.

Confused, April and Matt turned around, startled to see them.

Matt pulled Liam out from behind the bar, stepping in front of him and April protectively.

Connor walked up behind Jeremy, placing the knife against his throat. "Trust me, that's the least of your problems."

...

Gilbert House - Emma/Elena's Room

Elena opened the bedroom door.

Damon walked into the room, walking past her.

"Excuse me?" Elena asked, turning to face him. "What are you doing?"

"Where's Stefan?" Damon asked. He looked around. "Where's Morgana?"

"Okay, uh, good morning to you too." Elena told him.

"He's not answering his phone, and she's not at home, which you know, big deal, we've only got a killer vampire hunter on the loose." Damon told her.

"I haven't talked to them yet today." Elena told him.

"Hmm." Damon hummed, walking closer, holding out a hand. "Give me your phone. Maybe they're dodging me."

Elena started digging through her purse for her phone. "Why would they be dodging you?"

"Oh, I don't know, maybe the hot, sweaty dance party business." Damon told her. Elena looked up. "I figured you spilled your guilty, little guts to Morgana the minute you got home last night." Elena said nothing, continuing to search for her phone. Damon smirked. "Ohhh, you didn't tell her, did you?"

"No, Damon." Elena answered. "I didn't tell my sister that I got high on blood like some crackhead and then dirty danced with her ex-boyfriend. It was a mistake, okay? I wasn't myself, and besides, they've both already got enough to deal with trying to get me through this vampire stuff."

Elena handed Damon her phone.

Damon began to dial a number. "No, I see, it's just a classic shame spiral."

"I'm not in a shame spiral." Elena told him.

"Oh, you so are." Damon told her. "Newbie vampire remorse? Ooh, it's worse than a hangover."

"I'm not in a shame spiral, Damon." Elena told him.

Stefan: (voicemail) "Hey, it's Stefan, leave a message."

Damon hung up, dialing Alex's number.

Morgana: (voicemail) "Hi, Morgana here. You got something to say? Leave a message. Just calling to piss me off? Hang up."

There was a dial tone.

Damon hung.

Elena and Damon both look troubled.

"So, either they're dodging both of us..." Damon trailed off.

Elena looked up. "Or something's wrong."

...

Mystic Grill

Connor still had Jeremy restrained, a knife at his throat, looking at Liam, Matt and April. "Sit down." No one moved. "Sit down!" Connor walked toward them. Liam, Matt and April backed away, sitting down. Connor pushed Jeremy down into the chair between Liam and Matt. "Gilbert, give me your cell phone."

"At least let Liam and April go." Jeremy told him. "They don't have anything to do with this."

Connor looked at Liam. "He's close to you, motivation for you to behave. Phone." Jeremy handed him his phone. Connor took it, looking at April. "She has everything to do with this. Her and her father. Plus, she and I have history."

"What are you talking about?" April asked. "I've never seen you before in my life."

"Well, you kids need to get some vervain." Connor told them. "And don't just wear it as a bracelet where anybody can just take it off." He pointed at Jeremy's vervain bracelet. Jeremy looked up at him. "Maybe then you'd remember our conversation at the hybrid's yesterday."

"Our conversation?" Jeremy repeated. "Are you saying someone compelled me?"

"Would someone please tell me what he's talking about?" April asked.

Connor looked up in annoyance. "Compulsion, secrets, vampires."

"If you know so much, then you know our friends are going to come for us." Matt told him.

"Oh, yeah, I'm counting on it." Connor told them. "Every vampire that comes for you is another one I get to kill. Now, who should I text first? Hmm?" He looked through Jeremy's phone, looking at Jeremy. "Your girlfriend Evelyn Zhu? Damon Salvatore? Stefan Salvatore? Isabella Salvatore? Tyler Lockwood, his cousin Rosie Lockwood? Elizabeth Pierce? Scott Jackson? Nah, all of the above."

Connor sent a text to all of the above.

Hunter at Mystic Grill with hostages. They all die at sundown.

Connor placed Jeremy's phone down, stabbing it with his hunting knife.

...

Lockwood Mansion - Living Room

Everyone was gathered to talk about the recent turn of events, all except the witches, Caroline, Stefan and Alex.

Tyler was on his phone behind the couch. Rosie and Scott stood next to him.

Isabella and Elena were sitting nervously on the couch.

Emma, Damon and Evelyn were standing, pacing.

"So, we each take a different entrance." Evelyn told them. "Hit them at the same time."

Stefan and Morgana walked into the room.

"Stefan." Elena told him, standing, walking toward them. "Morgana."

"Where the hell have you two been?" Emma asked.

Stefan reached his arm toward Elena. Elena wrapped her arms around him. Stefan wrapped his arms around her.

"Coming up with a plan." Morgana answered.

"Yeah, we have a plan." Isabella told them. "The plain is, I'm gonna rip Connor's heart out, and I'm going to feed it to him."

"That's not a plan." Stefan told her. "We need to be careful. Connor has Jeremy and who knows how many other hostages."

"Hence, the open heart surgery." Isabella told him.

"Isabella's right." Emma told him. "Connor's strong, but he's not going to be able to take all of you."

Tyler turned to them. "I called in the hybrids to help, too."

Caroline walked into the room from behind Elena, Stefan and Morgana. "My mom put squad cars blocking the streets. They're saying it's a faulty gas main. We're good to go."

"Good, great." Damon told them. "No cops, no witnesses, no reason to wait around."

"All right, hold on, you're not all going." Stefan told them.

"He shot me like nine times." Tyler told him. "If we're killing him, I want in."

"He's got Jeremy." Elena told him. She looked at Morgana. "If you're going, I'm going."

Caroline walked closer. "And Liam's not answering his phone. He should be here."

"Listen, nobody is going anywhere until I figure out what we're walking into." Stefan told them.

Evelyn slowly stood, looking at Stefan suspiciously. "Until you figure it out?" Stefan nodded. "Is that where you've been all morning? Out buying bossy pants?" Evelyn looked at Morgana. "What, did you need Morgana's help for fashion advice on an edgier style?"

"This guy is known for setting traps, right?" Scott asked. "We'd be pretty dumb to walk into one, especially if he has werewolf venom."

"Does he?" Elena asked.

Rosie gave Scott a look, speaking to the others. "He's had it before."

Emma appeared to be rethinking the plan.

Evelyn was annoyed. "Fine. Fine." He looked from Scott and Rosie to Stefan and Morgana. "If you four want to take some time to do recon, you get one hour. But we're gonna need some extra help. So, where the hell are the Wicked Witches of the North, East and West?"

"And twice with the pop culture references." Isabella told her. "Impressive."

"They can't do magic." Caroline told them.

"Really?" Damon asked. "Well, call them, tell them their friends' lives are in danger. Maybe that will bring them out of retirement."

Damon pushed past Stefan and Morgana, walking out of the room, leaving.

Stefan and Morgana exchanged a look with Scott and Rosie.

Emma noticed the exchange, looking between them in suspicion.

...

Whitmore College - Shane's Office

Sally, Bonnie and Elizabeth were sitting on a round, cornered-couch.

Bonnie was flipping through a book. "I can't believe you wrote a book."

"I did." Shane told them, pouring glasses of tea. "I wrote three books, actually. Two of them are just too mortifying to display."

Sally took out her phone. "Oh, I'm finding them online."

Shane walked closer with the tray of tea. "No, no you're not. Hey, come on, you promised, remember?" He put the tray down on the table in front of the girls, sitting in the chair across from them. "All right, no cell phones and no Internet during witch therapy." He gestured for them to give him their phones. Sally gave him her phone. Bonnie pulled out her phone, handing it to Shane. Elizabeth hesitated. "I see someone has trust issues."

"Don't take it personal." Elizabeth told him.

"Come on." Shane told her. Elizabeth sighed, taking out her phone, handing it to him. Shane set the phones aside, placing a cup of tea in front of each of them. "Here, this is yours. Right now, I want you to focus and I want your undivided attention."

"You really think you can help me and Bonnie start practicing magic again, and help Elizabeth learn how to use her magic again?" Sally asked.

"Absolutely, I can." Shane answered. "I invited all of you here because I can. But you know what? Right now, just relax, drink your tea." They removed the lids from their tea. "I got this in Australia when I was backpacking with these Aborigenes spirit guides. Trust me, it's better when you smoke it, but I'm trying to be a role model." Bonnie laughed, sipping her tea. Sally and Elizabeth each took a drink. They placed their mugs down. "Guys, listen, the thing is what I have in mind might come off as a little unorthodox."

"Now I'm officially curious." Elizabeth told him.

"Good." Shane told her, standing, walking to an end table, grabbing a metronome, walking toward them, placing it on the table. Bonnie looked at it curiously. Sally and Elizabeth exchanged a look. "What do you know about hypnosis?"

Shane pulled the pendulum.

The pendulum began to tick back and forth.

"You really think that would work?" Sally asked skeptically.

"You practice witchcraft, but you don't believe in hypnotism?" Shane asked. Sally gave him a skeptical look. Shane sat back, putting his hand to his head, above his ear. "Sally, listen, you and Bonnie are afraid to practice magic because those witch spirits convinced you it's wrong." Bonnie sat back, putting a hand to her head, above her ear. "They threatened your mother, Sabrina, and her Grams and they made you feel guilty." Sally sat back, putting her hand on her head, above her ear. Shane looked at Elizabeth. "And you, Elizabeth, you just lost foud your old love, you found out everything was different. That you were a witch and a vampire, one that you're born with, not turned into. And you're scared that you won't be able to survive in a town where everything is like how you remembered it." Elizabeth sat back, putting a hand to her head, above her ear. "You just have to confront that fear and that guilt and remove it."

Shane pulled his hand away from his ear.

Sally , Bonnie and Elizabeth lowered their arms to the table in front of them.

"Maybe." Bonnie told him. "I don't think hypnosis would work. Witches are naturally immune to any sort of manipulation."

"Really?" Shane asked. Bonnie nodded. "Well, let me ask you something." Shane looked at the table. "Would you girls like to put those earrings back on?"

Sally, Bonnie and Elizabeth looked down.

A birthstone earring was in front of Sally. A dangly earring was in front of Bonnie. A rose earring was in front of Elizabeth.

Shane smiled, sipping his tea.

Sally smiled in shock. Bonnie laughed. Elizabeth raised her eyebrows.

...

Town Square

Stefan and Morgana walked through the square.

Morgana was on the phone.

Klaus' voice was on the other line."You expect me to care about bloody hostages?

"Well, you should." Morgana told him. "Damon does. So does Caroline, Tyler, Elena, Isabella, Emma, Evelyn, and, oh, yeah, Connor has my friend, Klaus, so, uh, I do, too. If any of them get to Connor, then you just wasted a trip to Italy. I can buy us some time, but Damon and Isabella are getting antsy. So, if you want Connor alive, you better get your hybrids on board with my and Stefan's plan. Oh, and, uh, Klaus, if that bitch so much as gets Jeremy hurt, I'll kill him myself."

In Italy, Klaus looked amused. "Is that a threat, Morgana?"

"Maybe it is." Morgana told him. "'Cause, in case you've forgotten, you can't touch me."

"That fact hasn't escaped me." Klaus told her.

"Then you better be willing to agree with us." Morgana told him.

Stefan stood behind Morgana, smirking in amusement.

...

Alaric's Apartment

Elena looked through the blinded windows toward Stefan and Morgana in Town Square.

Damon was going through a chest of weapons, taking out some vervain darts and a mini crossbow.

Isabella was going through his closet to look for the maps and blue prints of Mystic Falls.

"Who was she talking to?" Elena asked.

"Bonnie, Elizabeth and Sally , hopefully." Damon told her. "Maybe they and the other one decided to make themselves useful."

Isabella put a large map onto the table. "Give them some slack. The spirits tormented Lindsey and Bonnie and Tory's a new little Willow."

Damon and Elena walked closer.

"What is that?" Elena asked.

"It's our way in." Isabella answered. "Courtesy of Alaric Saltzman's interest in the Mystic Falls Underground Railroad."

"The tunnels, like the ones in the Lockwood cellar." Elena realized.

Isabella took a picture of the map with her phone. "Yep."

Isabella put her phone away.

Elena's phone started to ring. She answered it, putting it on speaker phone. "What did you find?"

Stefan was on the other line with Morgana, put on speaker also.

"We can only make out the voices." Stefan told them.

"How many hostages?" Isabella asked.

"Three." Morgana answered. "But, Elena, it's Matt, Liam and April."

"What?" Elena asked worriedly.

"Those three idiots, they're like danger magnets." Damon told them.

"We have to get them out of there." Elena told them.

"We just need a little more time." Morgana told them.

"Well, the clock's ticking, Morgana." Isabella told her.

"You know, I could do without the colored commentary." Stefan told her, hanging up.

"I'm going in these tunnels." Elena told them, starting to walk off.

Damon grabbed Elena by the wrist. "No, you're not. This guy doesn't know that you're a vampire. Let's keep it that way."

"He already knows about me, so I'm going." Isabella told them, walking toward the door.

"Maybe that's it." Elena told them. "I can offer to trade myself in exchange for the hostages." Isabella opened the door, walking out of the loft. Elena tried to follow her. "Wait. Isabella-"

Damon stepped in her way. "No." Isabella closed the door behind her, leaving. "Best case scenario is now you're a hostage. Worst case scenario, he figures you out, kills you on the spot."

"Stop treating me like I can't handle myself." Elena told him. "Alaric trained me, and I've been practicing with Stefan."

Elena walked toward the door.

"So what?" Damon asked. "Now you're gonna take on a professional killer?" Elena turned to face him. Damon rushed toward the bed, grabbing the crossbow, aiming it at Elena's head. "Bang. You're dead. Now what?"

Elena rushed toward Damon, pulling the crossbow out of his hand, pushing him onto the bed, straddling him, aiming the crossbow at his heart. "Head shot's no good. It has to be the heart. So, now you're dead."

Damon smiled. "For someone who doesn't want to be like me, you sure are good at it."

Damon pushed Elena's hands away, so that the crossbow was no longer pointing at his chest.

"My brother and my sister are the only things that are holding me together right now, Damon." Elena told him. "If anything happens to Jeremy..."

"We'll get him out." Damon told her. "I promise."

...

Mystic Grill

Connor poured werewolf toxin into a glass jar. He was rigging up a bomb.

Liam, Jeremy April, and Matt sat together at the table.

April was crying. "He's clearly delusional. I mean, right? All this-all this talk about vampires, but I mean, he mentioned my dad."

"Hey, this guy's a nut job, okay?" Matt asked. "Don't let him get in your head."

"What if he knows something?" April asked. "Jeremy, did he say anything to you about why he's doing this?"

"I don't know." Jeremy told them. "Maybe. Maybe I just can't remember."

Jeremy stood.

"Let it go." Liam told him. Jeremy walked away toward Connor. "Jer!"

Jeremy continued to walk over to Connor.

Liam leaned back further into his seat, nervous and scared.

April sobbed quietly.

Liam turned his head to look at April. She took one of her hands comfortingly.

Jeremy stood next to Connor. "You said we had a conversation yesterday."

"Mm-hmm." Connor answered.

"About what?" Jeremy asked.

"We'll get into that." Connor told him. "First, take a look at my handy work. Pick up some tips from the Hunter's trade."

"What is all that?" Jeremy asked.

"The fluid is derived from werewolf toxin." Connor explained. "Trip the wire, bomb goes off, nails deliver a lethal dose into the bloodstream."

"And what's the point?" Jeremy asked. "What do you get out of all this?"

"You know, I used to think that there was no '." Connor told him. "That I was just supposed to do. Kill vampires. That was until I realized that the Mark held the answer to why I'm the way I am. The more I kill, the more it grows and once it's complete, I'll know my story and-and all of this will have meant something." He looked at Liam, April and Matt. "Hey! We're gonna have visitors soon You three get in the back. Get up. Move!" April stood, crying. Liam stood, grabbing April by her shoulders gently. Matt stood, standing in front of them. "Before you think about any other exits, I got every door rigged. Got it?"

Matt led Liam and April to the back of the Grill.

...

Loft Building

Isabella was walking out of the loft building.

Stefan walked toward her, grabbing her arm, pulling her back inside. "What did I say about staying out of it until I was ready?"

"Until you were ready." Isabella repeated in forced amusement. "Right, and you know that I've never been really good with authority, so, if you'll excuse me..."

Isabella stepped toward the door.

Stefan stepped in her way to stop her. "Isabella, I need you to step down on this one."

"'Step down'?" Isabella repeated. "What the hell is going on with you?"

"Nothing is going on with me." Stefan told her.

"Bull." Isabella told him. "You have been acting shady all freaking day, you have been acting really weird with Morgana, and now that we know that Jeremy, Matt, Liam and April are in there with some psycho vampire Hunter, you still want to wait?"

"It's nothing, Isabella." Stefan told her. "Stop being paranoid."

"I don't believe you, Stefan." Isabella replied. "Stop lying to me." Stefan didn't answer. Isabella nodded once sarcastically. "Fine. Keep on keeping things to yourself. I'll go save them myself."

Two hands reached forward on either side of Isabella's head, snapping her neck, letting her fall to the floor, revealing Morgana to be standing behind her.

Stefan looked at Morgana, sighing.

Morgana smiled.

...

Alaric's Apartment

Elena pulled the blinds apart from the window again, looking at the Grill.

Damon walked over to her. "Stefan and Morgana are on their way. This will be over soon."

"Will it?" Elena asked. "I mean, haven't we already been here before with Jeremy? Isn't this why we sent him to Denver?"

"Well, we'll get him out of this, and we'll compel him down to the Bahamas." Damon told her. "Maybe he'll find an island girl."

Elena gave Damon a look.

Stefan walked in. "Did you find the tunnel map?"

"Got it." Damon told him. "It was in his weapons drawer with seven stakes, some weird MacGyver crossbow, and the last remaining vervain in Mystic Falls."

"Where's Morgana?" Elena asked.

"Talking to Isabella." Stefan told them.

"So, how about we get this party started?" Damon asked.

"Not yet." Stefan told him. "Klaus is sending one of his men. He'll take the front. Morgana and I can take the tunnels."

"Since when did you team up with Klaus and the Lollipop Guild?" Damon asked.

"Well, Scott and Rosie already told you, Connor has werewolf venom." Stefan told him. "We need someone to draw his fire. The hybrids are immune to it so they're our best bets."

"Well, how are you guys sure that he even has werewolf venom?" Damon asked. "Why is Klaus involved, Stefan?"

Stefan turned around, picking up a vervain dart. "Stop being paranoid, Damon."

"Start telling the truth, Stefan." Damon replied. "Why is Klaus involved? Why are you and Morgana spending so much time together? Did he compel you?"

"I am telling you the truth." Stefan told him. "This is the best way to get everyone out."

"Okay, what is with you two?" Elena asked. "We're wasting time."

"You know what, she's right." Damon told him. "Screw your guys' plan. I'll kill Connor myself."

Damon and Elena started to walk toward the door.

Stefan rushed toward Damon, stabbing him in the back with the vervain dart.

"Stefan!" Elena told him.

Damon started to fall, unconscious.

Stefan slowly lowered him to the floor.

Elena was shocked.

...

Basement

Morgana pulled Isabella's unconscious body into the basement, letting her fall. She turned, kneeling next to her, pulling her phone out of her jacket pocket. "Isabella, you had the right idea with the tunnels."

Morgana opened up the picture of the map on Isabella's phone, sending it to her own, standing, walking away.

Isabella's temporarily dead body laid on her side on the floor with a broken neck and her eyes closed.

...

Alaric's Apartment

Stefan laid Damon on the couch.

"Why are you doing this?" Elena asked.

"I'm not gonna go in there if I can't count on them to do it my way." Stefan told her.

"If you can't count on them?" Elena asked. "You just vervained Damon. You said that Morgana was talking to Isabella... What did she do to her?"

"Elena, don't pretend that you care about my." Stefan told her. "And do you think Damon cares about April or Liam or Matt? He'll get Jeremy out for you, but then he'll go right after Connor, no matter who gets hurt."

"Then I'm coming with you." Elena told him.

Stefan walked toward Elena. "You're not coming with me, Elena."

"You need my help, Stefan." Elena told him.

"What if Connor attacks and you have to defend yourself?" Stefan asked. "And what if you kill him? The guilt will wreck you."

"You don't think that I–I-I'm afraid of that?" Elena asked. "Of course, I am. Stefan, I'm barely holding it together. If Jeremy gets hurt..."

Stefan put a hand on either of Elena's cheeks. "I'll get Jeremy out, okay? I promise you."

"No," Elena told him, hysterical.

"Elena, listen to me, listen to me." Stefan told her. Elena calmed down. "This is the most important thing that I have ever asked you to do. I just need you to trust me. Please."

Elena nodded.

Stefan kissed her.

When Elena opened her eyes after their lips parted, Stefan was gone.

...

Lockwood Mansion - Hallway

Hayley stood alone, looking down the hall.

Tyler was talking to Scott, Rosie and another hybrid in the next room over. "Look, guys, this guy is dangerous. He's highly trained. He's armed."

"We can handle ourselves." Scott told him. "Besides Klaus asked us personally."

"This is a bad idea." Tyler told them, following them into the other room.

Scott and Tyler walked into the next room.

Caroline stepped into view, turning to Hayley. "Uh, who are you?"

"Who the hell are you?" Hayley asked.

"I'm Caroline." Caroline answered.

"Oh, you're Tyler's girl." Hayley told her in understanding. "Rosie and Elizabeth told me about you. I'm Hayley."

"Well, Hayley, that's pretty crazy, because I haven't heard a thing about you." Caroline told her.

"I've been staying here a few days." Hayley told her.

"Excuse me?" Caroline asked.

"I needed a place to crash, Ty, Lizzie and Rose are buddies, they were kind enough to offer." Hayley told her.

Caroline walked toward her, crossing her arms over her chest. "I know all of Ty's buddies, and I haven't heard about you. So, how about we cut the crap?"

Hayley shook her head. "Yeah, I don't do teen drama. Take it up with Ty. Excuse me."

Hayley walked past her.

Caroline watched her leave, scoffing.

...

Living Room

Scott, Rosie, Tyler and the other hybrid were talking.

Hayley walked in, looking at Scott, Rosie and the other hybrid. "Guys, you don't need to do this."

"Stay out of this, Hayley." The other hybrid told her. "We're going."

"Just listen to her, man." Tyler told him. "It's suicide." Caroline walked in. "Klaus told you guys to take Connor on by yourselves, and you can't even fight back? You have to use non-lethal force. What the hell is that?"

"Klaus gave us a direct order." The other hybrid told him.

"It's too dangerous, Dean." Hayley told him. "That maniac already killed Nate."

"You're not a hybrid, you don't know what it's like." Dean told her. "Klaus asks for something, you do it."

Hayley, Tyler and Rosie exchanged a look.

Tyler walked closer to Dean. "Look, I'm a hybrid. I used to do everything Klaus said, but I don't anymore. You don't have to either."

Scott looked extremely interested. "You think you can stand up to Klaus?" He handed Tyler his phone. "Prove it."

Tyler took his phone.

"Tyler, don't." Caroline told him.

Tyler looked at Caroline. He looked at the phone, calling Klaus, putting the phone to his ear.

"Hello?" Klaus answered.

"Hey, Klaus." Tyler told him.

"Tyler." Klaus told him. "I hope you're not causing problems like I'm sure Rosie is just being a troublemaker for you."

Rosie sighed, sitting down on the couch.

Dean, Scott, Tyler, Caroline and Hayley looked at Rosie.

Rosie gave them a sarcastic smile.

"I can do whatever I want." Tyler replied to Klaus, looking at Dean and Scott like he had something to prove. "I'm not sired to you anymore. And don't bring her into this."

"Fair enough." Klaus told him. "Though, I do know your little secret about your and your cousins time in Appalachia." A man walked up to Klaus, holding the Hunter's Sword. Klaus examined it. "What was Elisaveta's and your friend's name? Hayley, was it? You'd probably prefer I kept that to myself. Though, using your cousin to keep it a secret, too..." Caroline looked hurt. Rosie leaned forward, putting her hand to her mouth to keep from laughing in shock and confusion. "I'm sorry, mate. Are you going to answer, or should I just assume you're back to being... How did you phrase it? Ah, yes. My little bitch."

Tyler hung up, clearing his throat, handing the phone back to Luke. "Do whatever the hell you want."

Tyler walked away, leaving the room.

"That's it?" Hayley asked. "You just back down?"

Hayley followed Tyler.

Caroline looked as if she was about to cry.

...

Mystic Grill

The phone at the bar rang.

Jeremy walked toward it, reaching forward, about to answer.

Connor grabbed his wrist.

Jeremy pulled his hand away.

Connor answered the phone. "We're closed."

Stefan was on the other line, walking through the woods, followed by Morgana. "I want you to free the hostages."

"I'll free them as soon as you give me what I want." Connor told him. "You and everyone like you dead."

"What?" Stefan asked. "So your Hunter's Mark can grow?" Connor was stunned. "Yeah, I know all about that. What it means, what you are." Morgana threw down two shovels, standing above the Lockwood Cellar. "Listen, if you free the hostages, then you and I can have a little chat. I'll even tell you about the Brotherhood of the Five."

Connor scoffed. "That's a weak move. You must be desperate."

"Think about it, Connor." Stefan told him. "Klaus saved your life. He needs you alive. Aren't you the least bit curious why?"

Connor slammed the phone down on the receiver, breaking it. He shoved the phone off the bar, walking away.

...

Backroom

April and Eliza sat together on the floor.

Matt looked through the window into the Grill. He quickly walked to a shelf with a tool chest, opening it.

"When I was a kid, my dad used to tell me these scary stories about vampires." April told them.

Matt pulled out some tools, walking to another shelf.

Eliza comforted April. "They're just stories."

Matt pulled the shelves away from the wall.

"Not to that man out there." April told her. "There's something so familiar about him."

"Look, this is a messed up situation, but the last thing you want to do is buy into that guy's craziness." Liam told her. "You're gonna be fine."

Matt pulled off a panel on the wall. "We're getting out of here."

"What is that?" Liam asked.

"There used to be an exit to the old wine cellar." Matt told them. He looked inside the hidden room. There were bricks over the old entrance. "They bricked it over."

"So, that's it then?" April asked. "We're screwed."

"No, we're not screwed." Matt told them.

Matt stood, grabbing a nail, placing it against the brick floor. He put a towel over it, starting to hammer away at the nail.

...

Underground Tunnels

Stefan and Morgana were both carrying a shovel, walking toward Evelyn.

Evelyn turned toward them. "What the hell took you so long?"

"We're here, aren't we?" Stefan asked. "Listen, we can't kill Connor."

"I'll kill Connor if Connor gives me anymore reason to kill Connor." Evelyn told them, pushing away from the stone wall, leading the way away.

They heard the sound the hammer hitting the bricks.

"Matt sure does know the very darkest, dirtiest corners of this place." Morgana told them.

They followed the sound.

...

Lockwood Mansion - Foyer

Scott and Rosie walked toward the front door.

Hayley stood in the doorway to the living room. "Where're you guys going?"

"After Dean." Scott answered.

"Uh, no, you're not." Hayley told them with determination to keep them there.

"You can't stop us." Rosie replied, opening the door.

"You're right." Hayley told them. Scott and Rosie looked at her. "I can't stop you." Scott raised his eyebrows in acknowledgment. Rosie smiled a sarcastic smile, tilting her head. Hayley looked to the side. "But they can."

Scott and Rosie looked at her in confusion.

Tyler rushed in, breaking Scott's neck, letting him fall to the floor.

Caroline appeared behind Rosie, injecting her with vervain, catching her as she fell, lying her down.

Hayley tilted her head. "Had to be done. They were gonna get themselves killed."

Caroline didn't respond, looking at Tyler with hurt, turning around, walking away.

...

Town Square

Dean approached the entrance to the Grill. He placed his hand up to his ear. "There's no sign of anyone."

Klaus' voice was on the other line. "There are others coming at him from the other side. They'll free the hostages, your job is to get Connor out alive. And use caution, mate. He favors booby traps and ambushes."

Dean nodded. "Understood."

...

Mystic Grill

Connor finished setting up the werewolf venom bomb.

Jeremy saw a stake, slowly walking toward it.

"You may be a Potential Hunter, but if you make one move, I'll break all twenty seven bones in your hand." Connor told him.

"They're not all bad, you know." Jeremy told him. "Some of them, they're my friends."

"Your friends, huh?" Connor asked. "Yeah, I had a friend like that once. She got turned by this vampire I was hunting. He thought it would be ironic."

"What happened to her?" Jeremy asked.

"I didn't want to hurt her." Connor told him. "She promised that she would keep it under control, but... a vampire's like a loaded gun. Eventually it's gonna go off." He showed Jeremy his tattoo. "That's why I got this."

Jeremy looked down at the piece of his tattoo near the crook of his elbow. "So, you killed your own friend?"

"Listen, if you're gonna be like me, you need to understand." Connor told him. "Vampires kill humans. Hunters kill vampires." They heard a noise near the front. "We've got company."

Connor turned off the lights, turning on music very loud.

(Song:) Tick - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Connor grabbed Jeremy, pushing him down to the floor.

Dean opened the front door, carefully inspecting the doorway. He looked down and saw a trip wire. He looked to the left and saw a loaded bomb. He carefully stepped over the wire and onto the mat. A light turned on under the mat and the bomb is activated. He closed the door carefully behind him. Suddenly, the bomb exploded. Dean was pushed through the air due to the force of the explosion.

...

Backroom

Liam, Matt and April were startled by the loud noise, seeing the explosion through the window, taking a step back.

Liam was in shock. "Oh, my God."

April started to back away, backing into Morgana. She turned around, gasping.

Morgana covered April's mouth, placing her finger to her own lips, telling her to be quiet.

...

Main Room

Dean slowly started to get up. He was covered in nails, blood, and shards of glass.

Connor approached him with a gun.

Dean raised his hands in surrender.

Connor shot the gun, blowing a hole clean out of Dean's chest, along with his heart.

Dean fell to the floor, dead.

(Song Ends)

...

Backroom

Stefan, Evelyn and Morgana stood with Liam, April and Matt.

Evelyn handed the phone with the map on it to Matt. "Follow this map, get out of here." She looked at April. "Take her to Caroline so she can..."

"Okay." Matt told them, taking Liam and April, starting to walk away.

Liam turned back to Stefan, Evelyn and Morgana. "Guys, that guy is armed. If you go out there, he's gonna kill Jeremy."

"No one's killing anyone." Morgana told them. "Go."

April, Liam and Matt went out through the panel in the wall.

Stefan and Morgana walked out of the backroom.

...

Main Room

Connor took off his jacket, looking at his arm, watching the tattoo grow.

Evelyn was slowly and quietly and sneakily coming out of the back. Then Stefan. Then Morgana.

Connor saw them, grabbing Jeremy, aiming the gun toward them.

They rushed around the Grill.

Connor shot the gun multiple times, pushing Jeremy back onto the mat attached to the bomb. He pulled out another gun from his belt, aiming both at the rushing speeds.

Stefan ducked down, hiding behind the bar.

Morgana hid behind the wall.

Evelyn tipped a table over, ducking behind it.

"Connor, you don't have to do this." Morgana called.

"Morgana!" Jeremy told her.

They heard the noise of the bomb ticking.

Morgana peeked around the corner of the wall to look desperately at Jeremy standing on the mat that activated the bombs.

Jeremy remained completely still.

...

Alaric's Apartment

Elena was leaving a panicked voicemail. "Morgana, call me! There was an explosion at the Grill. I need to know what's happening." She heard Damon groan from the couch. She hung up her phone, walking toward Damon. "Damon, hey. Can you get up?"

"Oh, where's Stefan?" Damon asked. "I'm gonna kill him." He sat up slowly, but was burned by the rays of sunlight coming through the window. He lied back down. "Ow! Ow!"

"He took your ring?" Elena asked. "Morgana supposedly 'talked' to Isabella. I found her in the basement with a broken neck, and she didn't have her necklace, either. Why would they do that?"

Damon rolled off the couch and onto the floor.

Elena stood.

"Because they're playing us." Damon told her. "All this stalling, getting hybrids, taking our daylight amulets, add it up." He stood, sitting on the arm of the sofa away from the sunlight. "They've either made a deal with Klaus or Stefan's compelled."

"Then I need to get in there." Elena told him, walking toward the door.

"No, Elena, this guy is dangerous!" Damon told her.

Elena turned to face him. "So am I, Damon!"

Damon looked up at her.

Elena was extremely angry.

"Then you need to be smart." Damon told her. "He doesn't know you're a vampire. You get as close as you can and you kill him."

...

Mystic Grill

Connor had one gun pointed at the bar, the other gun at the tilted table. He looked toward the wall.

"Connor, we can end this right now." Stefan told him. "Just put down the gun and come with me."

"Sure." Connor told them sarcastically. "Come out, I'll hand the guns over."

"Think about this." Stefan told him. "No one has to die. I'll tell you everything you need to know."

"I don't make deals with vampires!" Connor told them angrily.

"Listen to me, if you die right now, then your whole life, all that killing." Stefan told him. "It'll all be for nothing."

...

Outside

Emma stood outside the door of the Grill, listening.

Elena ran up next to her. "What's happening?"

"Your boyfriend's acting really suspiciously right now." Emma told her.

"What do you mean?" Elena asked.

"Listen." Emma told her.

Elena pushed her hair back to listen.

They heard Stefan's voice. "I can give you the truth."

They heard Morgana's voice."Just put down the guns and let Jeremy go!"

Emma opened the door, entering.

"No, wait-" Elena told her.

Emma ran inside, ignoring her.

...

Inside

Stefan, Evelyn and Morgana were still in hiding.

Jeremy was still standing on the bomb mat.

Connor still held the guns ready to fire.

Emma ran inside. "Please!" Connor aimed one gun at Emma. "Don't hurt him."

Connor aimed the other gun on Jeremy. "You come any closer, he's dead."

"Emma, get out of here!" Morgana told her.

Elena ran inside next to Emma. "He and my sister are the only family that I have left. Just-just let both of them go."

Connor looked toward the wall, Alex's hiding place. "Hey, friend, stand up." Morgana didn't move. "Stand, or I shoot her brother. Stand up!" Morgana stood slowly, raising her hands in defeat. "Your hear that? All your girls are watching. I will shoot the boy right in front of them! On the count of three! One! Two!"

Stefan stood, raising his hands in surrender.

Evelyn stood, raising her hands in surrender.

Connor aimed his guns at Stefan and Morgana, shooting.

Evelyn rushed toward Connor, throwing him to the floor, straddling him, grabbing him by the throat, strangling him.

Jeremy was shot, nearly falling.

As the bomb was about to explode, Morgana rushed toward Jeremy, grabbing him, throwing themselves over a table.

Stefan rushed toward Elena, pulling her into hiding behind the bar.

The bomb exploded.

Evelyn was about to break Connor's neck.

A rushing form pushed Evelyn off before it made both disappear.

Morgana knew Stefan had stopped Evelyn from killing him, standing, looking around, rushing after them.

...

Evelyn was feeding Jeremy his blood to heal him.

Emma and Elena knelt next to them.

Elena looked at the healing wound, at the blood, veins crawling underneath her eyes, her eyes turning red with hunger. She returned normal, backing away. "I'm sorry. I..."

Elena turned away.

"Hey, it's okay." Jeremy told her. "You don't have to hide it. I know you're not going to hurt me."

"How did this happen, Jer?" Emma asked. "Why did Connor come after you?"

"He said I was like him, because I could see his tattoo." Jeremy told them.

Elena and Emma both looked at him. "His what?"

"His Hunter's Mark." Jeremy explained. "It's invisible to everyone but me. Stefan, Damon and Evelyn didn't tell you guys about it?"

"I told her about a tattoo, but I didn't say what it meant." Evelyn told them. "Because I don't even know what it means."

Elena shook her head. "No one told me about any of this. Wait, wait. Who else knows about this?"

"Well, that's the thing, I don't even know." Jeremy told them. "Apparently, I was with Connor all day yesterday, but I can't remember. Someone compelled me."

Emma stood, furious. "I think I know who."

...

Underground Tunnels

Stefan was leading Connor through the tunnel system, having one of his arms twisted behind his back, pushing him forward.

Damon and Isabella were in the tunnel in front of them.

"Good work, brother." Damon told him.

"It's over, Damon." Stefan told him. "I have him."

"Not after what we just went through." Isabella told him. "We had to punch through a boiler room basement into a septic tank to get into this stupid tunnel. But it'll be worth it."

"I'm taking him with me, Isabella." Stefan told her.

"That's the thing." Isabella told him. "You're not. I don't know what you and Morgana are up to or what Klaus has over you, but even if I have to go through you, I'm gonna kill him."

Damon and Isabella walked toward Stefan and Connor.

"You both better back off." Stefan told them.

"Why?" Damon asked. "Because Klaus wants him alive?"

"This has nothing to do with Klaus." Stefan told them. "You're just gonna have to trust me on that."

"I don't want to." Isabella told him. "I don't have to. Not gonna."

"Now, give him to me, brother." Damon told him.

Stefan looked at Connor. "Run as fast as you can!" He pushed Connor away. Connor ran off into the tunnels. Isabella rushed toward Connor. Stefan rushed toward Isabella, pushing her against the wall. "You're not gonna kill him."

Damon pushed his hand through Stefan's back, gripping his heart. "Why are you protecting him? Tell me." Stefan groaned. "Tell me."

"Klaus will kill anyone who knows." Stefan told them.

Damon started to pull at Stefan's heart.

Stefan screamed in pain.

"Then it will be worth it." Damon told him. "Spill it!"

"Damon!" Isabella told him.

Damon ignored her, still pulling at Stefan's heart. "Spill it!"

Morgana appeared. "Damon, stop it!"

"Then tell me." Damon told her. "Morgana, tell me the truth!"

"Connor's tattoo is the key to a Cure." Morgana told him.

"A Cure for what?" Isabella asked.

"For her." Stefan answered. "For Elena."

"Klaus told you there's a Cure for vampirism?" Isabella asked.

"Yeah, and if Connor dies, then we'll lose it forever." Morgana told them. Isabella looked completely shocked. Damon looked skeptical. "I know it sounds crazy, but it's hope. Do you understand that? But he tried to kill Jeremy, Liam, April and Matt too many freaking times, and Elena wouldn't care about it if it meant we'd lose one of or all of them, and I just have this... I want nothing more than to kill him."

"Then kill him, if that's what you really want." Damon told her.

"No, Morgana, don't!" Stefan told her.

Morgana rushed away, disappearing.

Stefan grunted in pain.

After a few seconds, Damon took his hand out of Stefan's back.

Stefan breathed heavily.

Isabella was still trying to take in the fact that there could have been a Cure.

...

Another Tunnel

Connor ran into the tunnels, looking around.

Morgana appeared, grabbing Connor by the throat, biting his neck, drinking, making him scream. She pulled away, looking him dead in the eyes furiously. "Stay the hell away from my family!"

Morgana let go of him.

Connor fell down to his knees in front of her. "Look at you. So worried about your friends. You're the biggest monster they'll ever meet." He staked Morgana in the heart, making her gasp. Morgana started to desiccate. Connor looked at his Mark. It didn't grow in the slightest. "What-why isn't it growing?"

Elena appeared behind Connor. "'Cause she's not really dead. She'll be back." She looked at Connor. Morgana fell to the ground. "But you won't."

Elena snapped Connor's neck.

Connor fell to the ground next to Morgana, dead.

Elena breathed heavily, looking at the first person she had ever killed, and then her friend as she became lifeless for now.

...

Whitmore College - Shane's Office

Sally, Bonnie and Elizabeth sat on the couch. Shane sat across the coffee table from them. They had their eyes closed.

Elizabeth opened her eyes in annoyance. "This isn't working." Sally, Bonnie and Shane opened their eyes. "It's not you. I just-I can't get into hypnosis."

"Elizabeth, what do you think we've been doing for seven hours?" Shane asked.

Bonnie looked at the clock behind Shane in shock. "Wow, that's crazy."

"Look, I'm good at this, okay?" Shane asked. "Trust me, you're doing a lot better then you guys were when you came in this morning. Here, you know what? Proof." He opened the drawer, pulling out three candles, setting them in front of each of the girls. "I bet that you can light these candles as easily as I can sign my name. All you have to do is want to."

Elizabeth shook her head. "I'm sorry, I just can't."

"If you can't, it's only because you're afraid." Shane told her. "You're afraid of what would happen if you lost your powers for good." He looked at Sally and Bonnie. "And you're of those spirits and what they might do to Sabrina or your Grams. Well, let me tell you something, you're stronger than they are. You have a power of your own you haven't even approached yet and you don't have to be afraid. Of anyone. Say it. I don't have to be afraid."

Sally, Bonnie and Elizabeth spoke together. "I don't have to be afraid."

"Now, close your eyes and mean it." Shane told them.

Sally, Bonnie and Elizabeth closed their eyes and concentrated. "I don't have to be afraid."

"Sally." Shane told her. The candle in front of Sally lit. Sally opened her eyes, seeing the candle lit, smiling, laughing. "Bonnie." The candle in front of Bonnie lit. Bonnie opened her eyes, seeing the candle lit, smiling. "Elizabeth."

The candle in front of Elizabeth remained unlit.

Elizabeth opened her eyes, seeing her candle unlit, disappointed. "Guess it wasn't good enough."

Bonnie looked around the room. "Oh, I don't know."

Sally and Shane looked around the room, impressed.

Elizabeth looked around the room.

Every other candle in the room had been lit.

Elizabeth smiled in shock, laughing, elated.

The flames burned a little higher, a little brighter.

"Whoa." Elizabeth told them, calming down.

The flames returned to normal.

"Your powers might be a little more difficult to remain in control because of your vampire side, but mostly because you're a new witch again." Shane told her. "But I think I could help teach you control. All of you."

Sally, Bonnie and Elizabeth smiled.

...

Woods

(Song:) Keep On Running - Cat Power

Elena was digging dirt up with a shovel, crying.

Connor's dead body laid next to her.

Elena was making a grave for him.

Morgana's body regained color. She came back from the dead, gasping slightly, sitting up, taking in her surroundings.

Stefan, Damon and Isabella walked closer.

"Elena." Stefan told her.

Elena looked at them.

Morgana stood, approaching Elena, looking at Connor's lifeless body.

Elena looked at the body. "I need to bury him. I killed him. I should-I should bury him."

Elena continued to dig.

Stefan, Damon and Isabella exchanged a look.

Morgana grabbed her gently. "Hey, hey, come on."

Elena pushed Morgana away. "Don't!" She looked at Stefan. "I heard you talking to him." She looked between them. "Making some secret deal with Klaus?" She looked at Stefan. "You said you were going to protect Jeremy!" She looked at Morgana. "And you did protect Jeremy, but you said you would keep me from this. You said that I could trust both of you."

Morgana looked down guiltily.

Stefan looked down, ashamed.

"Elena, it's complicated." Isabella told her.

"No, it's not complicated, Isabella!" Elena told her. Isabella raised her eyebrows at the hostility in her voice. "You want to know why? Because-Because he's dead now." She looked at Damon. "Damon, you told me to kill him, so I did." Damon looked helpless. Elena started to cry. "I-I killed someone. I-I killed someone."

Elena cried harder.

Damon, Stefan, Isabella and Morgana said nothing, looking hopeless.

(Song Ends)

...

Lockwood Mansion - Living Room

Hayley and Tyler were holding each other.

"I am so sorry." Tyler told her.

They pulled away.

"I can't believe Dean's gone." Hayley told him. "We could have saved him."

"We saved Scott and Rosie from the same fate." Tyler told her.

Hayley nodded.

Caroline walked into the room.

Tyler and Hayley looked at her.

"Oh, I apologize." Caroline told them sarcastically. "Am I intruding?"

"Caroline, it's not like that." Tyler told her.

"I keep waiting for you to make up some dumb story so at least I can call you a liar." Caroline told him. "Is that now?"

"I'll let you two talk." Hayley told them.

"Thank you." Caroline told her angrily. "How big of you."

Hayley glared at Caroline, walking out of the room.

Tyler looked at Caroline. "You have to understand-"

Caroline walked closer. "No, you don't tell me what I have to do. I went through hell when I thought you died. I cried like an idiot, and this whole time you've been keeping a secret from me about falling for some werewolf in the Appalachians?"

"I never fell for her." Tyler told her.

Caroline scoffed. "Oh, please."

"Caroline, she saved my life." Tyler told her. "I almost died trying to break the sire bond. Hayley was there for Rosie and me. She helped her get me through it. But nothing else happened. Ask Rosie if you don't believe me."

"Then, why would Klaus think that?" Caroline asked.

"Because I'd rather him think that then know the truth." Tyler answered. Caroline looked at him, confused. "There are other hybrids that need to be set free. Hayley and I can help them. But if Klaus found out about what we're trying to do, he'd kill us all."

...

Study

(Song:) One Minute - The Album Leaf

Rosie woke up one of the couches, gasping, sitting up.

Tyler leaned against the doorway.

Rosie lowered her feet to the floor, turning to face him, sitting back against the cushions. "Wow, Ty. You take stabbing people in the back to a whole new level."

"A, I didn't stab you in the back." Tyler told her, sitting down next to Rosie. "Caroline stabbed you in the neck. I broke Scott's." Rosie rolled her eyes. "B, we were protecting you."

"I don't need to be protected, Ty." Rosie told him, pushing herself up from the couch, standing, turning toward him. "I can protect myself."

"Really?" Tyler asked, standing. "You know what happened to Dean today?"

"No, 'cause you vervained me." Rosie told him, angry, hurt and betrayed.

"He died." Tyler told her. Rosie looked at him in shock. "Connor killed him. And he would've just killed you, too. I was protecting you, Rosie. You have to believe that. I don't care if you're sired." Rosie looked unbelievably sad but angry at the same time. "And I don't care if there is no possible way to unsire you. I will do anything it takes to protect you. Okay?" Rosie hesitated, nodding slowly. "Okay."

Tyler wrapped his arms around his cousin, holding her. Rosie held him close to her, looking vulnerable and hurt and helpless.

(Song Ends)

...

Town Square

Jeremy and Matt sat together on a bench.

Jeremy took off his vervain bracelet, looking at it.

April and Liam walked toward them.

"Hey, guys." April told them. "Sorry we're so late. We had to take this crazy detour."

Liam looked at Jeremy and Matt, feeling guilty about the lying and compelling. "There was a gas leak."

"Yeah, I heard about that." Matt said.

"Yeah, and we had to stop by Tyler and Rosie Lockwood's house because we had to see Caroline." April told them. "We talked to her for a little bit, but now I was thinking maybe we could all go get some coffee." She looked at the deserted Grill. "But the Grill is closed. That's weird."

Jeremy stood. "You know what, it's okay, I, uh, I need to get home anyways. I'm feeling a little over it today."

Matt stood. "I should probably get home too."

"Oh." April told them. "All right, then. Liam?"

"I, uh, I was just gonna see if Caroline was okay with everything." Liam told her.

April nodded, starting to walk away.

Jeremy dropped his vervain bracelet on the ground, picking it up. "Hey, April!" April turned around. "Did you drop this?"

"Oh, that's not mine." April told him.

"You sure?" Jeremy asked. "Hey, let me see your wrist."

April extended her arm.

Jeremy put the bracelet on her.

Liam smiled a little.

"Uh, thanks, but..." April trailed off.

"I like it." Matt told her. "It looks good on you."

"You should wear it." Liam told her.

"Okay." April told them, smiling, turning around, starting to walk away.

Liam looked at Jeremy and Matt. "Are you guys okay?"

"Yeah." Matt answered. "You?"

Liam nodded. "Yeah."

"I'm just sick of all the secrets, you know." Jeremy told him.

"Yeah, tell me about it." Liam told them. He turned after April. "Hey, April, on second thought..." He caught up next to her. "Let's go get coffee."

April smiled. "Okay."

April and Liam walked away.

Matt and Jeremy watched them go, smiling small smiles. They turned around, walking away in the opposite direction.

Jeremy stopped, looking down at his hand.

Matt stopped with him.

A tattoo had appeared on Jeremy's hand.

Jeremy frowned in confusion. "What?"

"What's wrong?" Matt asked.

"Nothing." Jeremy told him.

Matt looked at him strangely, walking away.

Jeremy looked down at his hand again.

The tattoo was still there.

...

Salvatore Boarding House - Stefan's Room

(Song:) The Light - The Album Leaf

Isabella was sitting at the desk, reading Stefan's journal.

Emma stood next to Isabella, reading over her shoulder.

Stefan and Damon walked in.

"How is she?" Damon asked.

"Angry, full of guilt." Stefan answered. "Hasn't said a word to me other than that she wants to be left alone." He sighed, looking from Isabella and Emma. "Please tell me that you didn't tell Emma."

"Can't." Emma told him. "That'd be a lie. She did tell me." She looked at Stefan finally. "Are you insane?"

"I prefer the term 'dedicated'." Stefan told her.

"And I prefer you to be alive." Emma told him.

Stefan looked at Isabella. "Is that my journal?"

Stefan took the journal away.

"I had to go through six locks to get it." Isabella told him. Stefan walked away, putting the journal on its shelf. "I needed something to back up your insanity."

"You figure out how to tell Klaus you lost a Hunter and a hybrid?" Emma asked.

"He's on a plane, which means I get to live for another six hours." Stefan told them.

"Well, I got your back, you know, when he comes to murder you." Isabella told him.

"Thanks." Stefan told her. He looked at Damon. "Thanks for not say anything to Elena."

"About what?" Damon asked. "About the Cure we don't have, can't find, and probably doesn't exist? You're welcome."

Emma poured herself a drink, pouring another drink.

"She doesn't need to know that she killed her chance of being human again." Stefan told them.

Emma handed one of the glasses to Stefan. "Alleged chance."

"I believe him, Emma." Stefan told her. "You didn't hear Klaus' story. I believed every word he said."

Isabella stood, pouring herself a drink.

Emma looked at Stefan. "Well, I'll remain a skeptic for now. So what's your next move?"

"He said there was a Brotherhood of the Five, which means there are other Hunters out there, and I'm just gonna keep looking until I find one." Stefan told them.

"Sure, Stefan, since you asked, I'd be happy to go on a suicide mission with you for a potentially non-existent Cure." Damon told him sarcastically. "No problem."

Stefan chuckled. "Yet a couple of hours ago, you were ready to rip my heart out."

Emma raised her eyebrows, looking between them.

"Because you were being a pain in the ass." Damon told him. Nicola took a drink. "Tell me one thing. Why do you want to cure her?"

"What kind of question is that?" Stefan asked.

"A legitimate one." Damon told him. "You want to cure her because she's a vampire and she's not cut out to be? Or you can't love her if she is one?"

"I'll always love her." Stefan told him. "But she's not supposed to be this person. I don't want her to be. But it's not just for Elena. It's for Morgana."

"Well, if I'm gonna ride this fairy tale to its conclusion, I want to be clear about one thing." Damon told them.

"What's that?" Isabella asked sarcastically.

"I'm fine with them either way." Damon told them. He looked at Stefan. "So, if I do this, I'm doing it for you."

Damon took one last drink, putting his glass down, walking out of the room.

Stefan looked at Isabella and Emma. "Why can't he show that much compassion for anything besides my girlfriend and his ex, who dumped him because of his feelings for her sister?"

"Because he's Damon." Isabella answered, taking a drink, turning around, walking out of the room.

Emma followed her, leaving Stefan alone.

Stefan took a drink.

(Song Ends)

...

Night - Gilbert House - Bathroom

Elena was in the shower.

Her blood stained clothes lied on the floor.

In the shower, Elena had her head placed against the cool tile. She lifted her hands to her face and saw the blood staining them. She moved toward the water and let the blood wash off of her.

Elena: (voice over) "Dear diary, today I did the thing I was most afraid of. I lost control. I killed someone. I used to think the worst feeling in the world was losing someone you loved, but I was wrong."

...

Emma/Elena's Room

Elena turned her head away from the door, looking at her diary, starting to write again. Blood started dripping down on her hand. She put down her pen and touched her nose to see if it was bleeding. She looked down at the floor and saw small pools of blood leading to the bathroom. She stood, following the trail of blood and opening the door to the bathroom.

...

Bathroom

Elena flipped on the lights, seeing the bathroom was splattered in blood. She looked at the mirror, seeing a message.

The message was written in blood. KILLER

Elena gasped, backing away. She slipped on blood, falling to the floor.

When she sat up, Elena saw that the bathroom was spotless, without a drop of blood in sight. She stood, looking in the mirror.

It was completely clean.

Elena looked at her arms and around the room. She was terrified of what was happening to her.