"The humans who live here are on vacation for the holidays, and won't be back until after New Years. You should be safe in here."
Bryce led them into a small, two story house.
Elena frowned when they went into the living room.
"But, they have a Christmas tree up. Why would they put that up if they weren't going to be home for Christmas?"
"It's a Robinson family tradition. Even if they aren't going to be home, they have to decorate at least one tree."
"At least one?" Damon asked, raising an eyebrow.
Bryce grinned.
"Just be happy they didn't put one in the bathroom this year."
He then led them upstairs.
"There are three bedrooms and a bathroom, plus their father's study." He showed them two small bedrooms; one was pink, and one was blue; clearly the bedrooms of two small children. Then he showed them a bigger, more adult room with a king sized bed. Everything in the room was either a dark shade of brown, orange, or red.
Once the tour was over, they walked back downstairs.
"Do they have any alcohol?" Damon asked, looking through the fridge and the cupboards.
Elena frowned.
"I think you can live without drinking for a few days."
Damon frowned.
"Maybe, but I also happened to have not brought any blood for myself, either."
Elena's eyes widened, and he shrugged.
"We could never make it across any state boarders if I had a bag full of blood-bags in the trunk."
"Couldn't you just compel them to let us through?"
Damon rolled his eyes.
"The entire point of this trip is to keep a low profile, Elena. Compelling people isn't exactly the best way to do that."
Bryce cleared his throat, bringing their attention back to him.
"You're going to want to move your car somewhere, so Lizzie thinks you left."
Damon nodded.
"Yeah, whatever."
Bryce sighed and left the house, clearly not wanting to be any more involved than he had to be.
Elena sat on the couch in the living room, eyeing the Christmas tree.
"This feels… wrong, Damon."
"What does? Being alive?" he asked, a bit rudely.
Elena frowned.
"No; being in someone else's house. We're technically breaking and entering-"
"Relax, Elena. Bryce wouldn't let us stay here if he didn't think it was a good idea. Now, stay here for a few minutes while I find a place to hide the car."
Elena's eyes widened.
"You're just going to leave me here? Damon-!"
He approached her with vampire speed, kneeling before her and looking into her eyes.
"Elena, you'll be fine. If you don't trust Bryce, than trust me; I wouldn't let you stay here if I didn't think you would be safe."
She took a shaky breath, looking down.
"I… I just don't want to be here alone." She said.
Damon sighed.
"You can come with me if it means so much to you."
She nodded and he gave her a small smile.
"Come on, then."
She followed him out of the house and they walked back to the car.
VvvvV
Inside the restaurant, Elizabeth quickly dialed a number onto the phone on the wall.
She glanced out the window at the retreating pair.
"Hello, Klaus? I have a proposition for you."
"Oh?" the voice on the other end asked in a thick British accent.
"How would you like to give Bryce and me our freedom… for the doppelganger?"