p data-p-id="26eaffe5b569243c44ec90f61ee2f3e7"Hope and SK both chuckled./p
p data-p-id="2490cd759199bc1c98f57ed60f0e1cb1""You go first" Both of them said that too at the same time./p
p data-p-id="fd4425e49d1a4c6c40a301b616e82faf""SK, you go first, I insist"/p
p data-p-id="1399c8fcfa58f6ce60a98df76b05d4c0"Hope's word is SK's command. So, he followed./p
p data-p-id="7a846419118a97afaad4eff6a538b869""So Hope, sorry for being nosy, why were you teary eyed at the theater? Sorry again, I was just worried"/p
p data-p-id="3c7fd1d5d73e5fcc9cebc2fc6a371228"It surprised Hope that he noticed it. She was discrete enough in wiping off her tears./p
p data-p-id="87f26f0fcde0bf59b92e31288dc5d625""Um, well, they were tears of joy if you were too worried. I saw my uncle after a very long time."/p
p data-p-id="b4016a3d8b9e7b6a0bb3078d4de30ce6""Oh sorry. I was worried if you were upset because he used your nickname"/p
p data-p-id="bb4d3eaf136cd1c6bf4d51d10f866f35"'Damn You Josie!' Hope cursed internally for making her actual name into a nickname./p
p data-p-id="a357e00a16b676c7d463cde524021508""Well, this is embarrassing. My uncle was the one who came up with the nickname. I am an insufferable fan of Superman. No, not the Zack Snyder Superman. The one from the old movies," Hope lied elaborately./p
p data-p-id="b676c34e130257e47d046232a29c545b""Right. Right. Thank You Hope, Now it all makes sense" It obviously did not make an ounce of sense. The whole reasoning behind the nickname seems topsy-turvy, but he figured maybe Hope was not too comfortable sharing the actual reason. Or else maybe he was reading too much into the situation./p
p data-p-id="054d2dbd873a655db4d262d150951eeb"Hope was relieved that he seemed to have believed her lie./p
p data-p-id="9bf8d9fab5fe1a22a9ac984b21b49534""So, SK..." Hope felt awkward./p
p data-p-id="03f47b1723f7d663c4b619c0afa2d71c""Yes, Hope"/p
p data-p-id="2782b7e639259b96104982059b8a8ff3""Hey!"/p
p data-p-id="fed869979c856e3b6f7ba6c6acbc685a""What, Hope!"/p
p data-p-id="deeacb985c2ad9b5d3cec123433a0c0e""My name is Andrea"/p
p data-p-id="c331b09632a4c10c2f5500a9232f3b82""Ok Andrea. But I don't know. You look like a Hope," SK teased./p
p data-p-id="5c73c15e6b9ba85113c83b0ed9fcdf83"Hope smirked and internally thought, 'my name is Hope alright'/p
p data-p-id="cf38b5b9f1d4af1d9eb2b10e0ac1c734""Also, SK, did you feel anything different in the theatre today?" Hope asked./p
p data-p-id="d4a11b970fb91be1582f287435e56b7f"SK obviously felt something alright. His heart beat very fast all of a sudden. He was feeling very, very nervous, which resulted in his palms sweating and he had to rub his hands./p
p data-p-id="7dca9f455fd5981b21d0777614ca341e""Uh.." SK was at a loss for words as they struggled to come out of his mouth and his brain froze./p
p data-p-id="1a8030d14a53b57f1dfa4bfcf74423d6"Hope could hear his heart beating faster and smell his sweat as both of them stared off at each other intensely. There was a tension in the room which could be cut with a sword. This was a different kind of tension for which Hope knew the answer, but SK didn't./p
p data-p-id="7c6341f8e6497219ccf52c4e8d7e8d4a"Hope chuckled and kept her right hand on his left shoulder, which resulted in his heart beating even faster./p
p data-p-id="7fc409ee1f783dde557d9e9fc98b225f""I feel like I might just faint like Ram from 96," SK remarked./p
p data-p-id="33d6b5b3b1ee6e1e7bf51b9a40c05371""The who from the what now?" Hope asked./p
p data-p-id="4703ea972df5f5e648b5a832ee370a58""It's a Tamil Romance movie where this hero will faint if the heroine touches his chest because he's so in love." Hope smirked, which caused SK to realise something./p
p data-p-id="f4b64c3b19ec08f74bcae425048d910c""Oh, Lord Shiva, what have I done?" SK covered facepalmed, using both his hands in embarrassment./p
p data-p-id="46ef5c62c3303c6694061ae41acec9bc"Gilbert Residence/p
p data-p-id="9e0f6af52ba51053197f3ab2ca85686c""Damon, who is it? Damon!" Elena screamed at the top of her lungs as she came to find out what happened and found their surprising guest./p
p data-p-id="7810f79021f0cd4c7dbb57c51d0de80f""What? How is this possible? How are you here? I have so many questions! But first come here" Damon went on to hug Stefan tightly./p
p data-p-id="4ea07460d872c0e802b53f2af36da9a9"Elena and both the brothers were now standing there with tear-filled eyes. After hugging Damon, Stefan hugged Elena./p
p data-p-id="80db808cdd2a84e9a343bed9a7eec708""Stefan," Elena and Damon just gestured and Stefan entered./p
p data-p-id="29395440a3ee9571537c6e87c5476349""Stefan, sit down, we'll get you some coffee" Elena and Damon showed their hospitality to Stefan, after which they went to the kitchen./p
p data-p-id="a8462179c2de98df68a1da7fd5dff4bb"It still felt surreal, as the couple could not believe that it was actually Stefan who was there in front of them. Bonnie had gone to a remote place in Zambia on one of her magical tours so they had to contact their next best option, Caroline. Plus, Caroline was the headmistress of a supernatural school and would know how Stefan was alive. At the very least, they must be able to confirm if this really was their Stefan./p
p data-p-id="0f9322995e5ae71f8177e71b493ffafc"So, Elena video called Caroline./p
p data-p-id="d049fdbd8e3827737fdf960b67593ad4""Hi, Elena. How are you? It's been a long time," Caroline greeted the doppelgänger./p
p data-p-id="9a0af27b526fac3042107cbec04dc329""Hi, Damon, how do you do? I'm here, you know," Damon teased the vampire./p
p data-p-id="e37702917ab66dcca54d402cc3958dc1""Damon!" Elena scowled./p
p data-p-id="6b0a8b13da344e264a3809b8c4ffab53""Caroline, we have to show someone," Elena said to Caroline with a serious face/p
p data-p-id="597727ef64f6f929b653a85c7c1b62e7""You are scaring me, Elena. What is it?" Caroline asked in a worried tone./p
p data-p-id="33895c02d266a5d21165fa3209456359"Elena tilted her phone so that Caroline could now see Stefan./p
p data-p-id="deded2df70dfe822487231e092a1880f"The memories of that fateful day when she had to leave Stefan to die came rushing back. That day, Stefan stayed behind all those years ago in Mystic Falls instead of coming with her./p
p data-p-id="d42208f5159030976c29ff93081f807f"She was the headmistress of a school now, but looking at Stefan made her cry profusely like a baby./p
p data-p-id="3cede74af6d86e89c09453e9eebb8e35""Caroline?" Stefan's eyes were filled with tears again as he sobbed, "I'm sorry for leaving you like that"/p
p data-p-id="b539f924f8402125d74468feaf0d5b76""Don't blame yourself, Stefan. You had to do what you had to do. I understand," Caroline and Stefan were both a sobbing mess now./p
p data-p-id="fd1bb60103c9822160fac5cd7df9a2d1""Elijah was here yesterday and now you. It's like dead people are coming back again." Elena, Damon and Stefan found their eyes widened at this new information from Caroline./p
p data-p-id="a59219d9a5e0a5298062fcb36434afc1""It's not safe to discuss this over the phone. Elena and Damon, bring Stefan by the school."/p
p data-p-id="33e517d93e1e2cd6a819320291309592""Ok Caroline, we'll bring him ASAP," Elena promised as she cut the phone./p
p data-p-id="215142652f9a5d329f559704910ae2f7"Elena took the day off from the hospital and Damon had a nightclub, meaning he didn't have any work to do during the day, which meant that both of them were ready to take Stefan to the school./p
p data-p-id="4bbe77ab3d5b4c2137d76a5a46249ca9"After some time, Elena and the Salvatore brothers found themselves in the headmistress cabin, along with Caroline and Elijah./p
p data-p-id="f614eec499e9bc3d1a2fb3467f9515e5"Stefan and Caroline hugged each other very, very tightly. She knew that it was him. The real him. Call it Caroline-sense if you will, but she knew. They broke their hug after they finished sobbing for about 2 mins./p
p data-p-id="99097080e95f3056b84bb2eb603b6e9e""So, Stefan, please tell us what you remember," Caroline asked calmly./p
p data-p-id="d39e9cd2c22b435369f6b6a643d261ca""Lexi was teasing me as usual for always brooding.." Damon interrupted Stefan as the younger Salvatore just started his story./p
p data-p-id="8352d0fbdf8afc32f864e32f90b2a5e9""You do brood a lot"/p
p data-p-id="b87487fb9d670bcd1c28d0747acef5c3""Damon!" Caroline groaned./p
p data-p-id="95ea994b1046c7e7f4d2285b8663f7f5""Ok, Ok, Sorry. Continue, little brother" Damon raised his hand in surrender./p
p data-p-id="0bbe6faa7a8777f4ed7217cc137957eb"Stefan chuckled as he continued, "So, Lexi was teasing me that I was brooding too much, even at peace, when there was this sudden blue light appeared. I was initially surprised to find Elena there..." Elena gave Stefan a look after which he cleared his throat and continued "... who, as it turned out, was not Elena but Katherine. She was with this blonde guy in a golden armour and another black-haired teenage girl."/p
p data-p-id="73eb3a56b878f19347ffbe51b0345382""Ken and Inadu. The blonde was Ken, and the girl was the hollow." Elijah interrupted this time. All eyes were on him now./p
p data-p-id="83998dcf946ac1a7bdedb46a572407a1""Ken was the God, and The Hollow was the reason Elijah died the first time," Caroline explained and added "Stefan, continue"/p
p data-p-id="0c04eae9d0f6ac12e6f56cb8e80e0161""Before I could understand what was going on, a blue portal opened. It sucked me into it and found myself in your front porch, Elena" Stefan completed his story./p
p data-p-id="f2259abb0855eba068a7a050e64a5064""Based on what Landon told me..." Elijah was interrupted./p
p data-p-id="d8618b92d358bbaa3ecc8b59ce21b8e0""Landon? Who's that?" Damon asked./p
p data-p-id="0c6ecde73bef3989faf887ae89a418d4""Damon, not the time" Caroline was annoyed by Damon's childish antics./p
p data-p-id="08b2876992dac368cd87b60ea7b4f37f""Ahem. From what Stefan told, I believe Katerina has taken the place of dear Landon. Landon told me that this God, Ken, Inadu and Katerina were on a plan to take revenge on Hope. I don't understand is, why would Katerina resurrect Stefan." Elijah poured out all the information he knew to the group./p
p data-p-id="3ad0e58cd1a51c0cd3e32ede83bd1240""It doesn't matter. The biggest, baddest bitch is coming and we need to be ready," Damon announced./p
p data-p-id="bfeea13ef1fc33df9915b58d4481fb93""Believe me, Damon, Katherine is the least of our worries if what Elijah says is true. Ken is a literal God and Inadu can read minds. We're gonna have our hands full." Caroline warned./p
p data-p-id="d2b1564daea44e40a8fca38128d23907"The Woods, Mystic Falls/p
p data-p-id="4c88af06d11f84c63a800504b5ca9010"Through the blue portal, Katherine, Inadu, and Ken appeared through it./p
p data-p-id="66d97ff9ad4c5a005e37b05b2ade69fc""Now that we are here, what's next man-baby?" Katherine taunted Ken, as usual./p
p data-p-id="8ff69b01fd6eefc4b77467cca73b320e"Ken took a deep breath and sighed. "Next, we track down my dear daughter Jen to find the weapon that can kill the Tribrid."/p
p data-p-id="2490cd759199bc1c98f57ed60f0e1cb1""You go first" Both of them said that too at the same time./p
p data-p-id="fd4425e49d1a4c6c40a301b616e82faf""SK, you go first, I insist"/p
p data-p-id="1399c8fcfa58f6ce60a98df76b05d4c0"Hope's word is SK's command. So, he followed./p
p data-p-id="7a846419118a97afaad4eff6a538b869""So Hope, sorry for being nosy, why were you teary eyed at the theater? Sorry again, I was just worried"/p
p data-p-id="3c7fd1d5d73e5fcc9cebc2fc6a371228"It surprised Hope that he noticed it. She was discrete enough in wiping off her tears./p
p data-p-id="87f26f0fcde0bf59b92e31288dc5d625""Um, well, they were tears of joy if you were too worried. I saw my uncle after a very long time."/p
p data-p-id="b4016a3d8b9e7b6a0bb3078d4de30ce6""Oh sorry. I was worried if you were upset because he used your nickname"/p
p data-p-id="bb4d3eaf136cd1c6bf4d51d10f866f35"'Damn You Josie!' Hope cursed internally for making her actual name into a nickname./p
p data-p-id="a357e00a16b676c7d463cde524021508""Well, this is embarrassing. My uncle was the one who came up with the nickname. I am an insufferable fan of Superman. No, not the Zack Snyder Superman. The one from the old movies," Hope lied elaborately./p
p data-p-id="b676c34e130257e47d046232a29c545b""Right. Right. Thank You Hope, Now it all makes sense" It obviously did not make an ounce of sense. The whole reasoning behind the nickname seems topsy-turvy, but he figured maybe Hope was not too comfortable sharing the actual reason. Or else maybe he was reading too much into the situation./p
p data-p-id="054d2dbd873a655db4d262d150951eeb"Hope was relieved that he seemed to have believed her lie./p
p data-p-id="9bf8d9fab5fe1a22a9ac984b21b49534""So, SK..." Hope felt awkward./p
p data-p-id="03f47b1723f7d663c4b619c0afa2d71c""Yes, Hope"/p
p data-p-id="2782b7e639259b96104982059b8a8ff3""Hey!"/p
p data-p-id="fed869979c856e3b6f7ba6c6acbc685a""What, Hope!"/p
p data-p-id="deeacb985c2ad9b5d3cec123433a0c0e""My name is Andrea"/p
p data-p-id="c331b09632a4c10c2f5500a9232f3b82""Ok Andrea. But I don't know. You look like a Hope," SK teased./p
p data-p-id="5c73c15e6b9ba85113c83b0ed9fcdf83"Hope smirked and internally thought, 'my name is Hope alright'/p
p data-p-id="cf38b5b9f1d4af1d9eb2b10e0ac1c734""Also, SK, did you feel anything different in the theatre today?" Hope asked./p
p data-p-id="d4a11b970fb91be1582f287435e56b7f"SK obviously felt something alright. His heart beat very fast all of a sudden. He was feeling very, very nervous, which resulted in his palms sweating and he had to rub his hands./p
p data-p-id="7dca9f455fd5981b21d0777614ca341e""Uh.." SK was at a loss for words as they struggled to come out of his mouth and his brain froze./p
p data-p-id="1a8030d14a53b57f1dfa4bfcf74423d6"Hope could hear his heart beating faster and smell his sweat as both of them stared off at each other intensely. There was a tension in the room which could be cut with a sword. This was a different kind of tension for which Hope knew the answer, but SK didn't./p
p data-p-id="7c6341f8e6497219ccf52c4e8d7e8d4a"Hope chuckled and kept her right hand on his left shoulder, which resulted in his heart beating even faster./p
p data-p-id="7fc409ee1f783dde557d9e9fc98b225f""I feel like I might just faint like Ram from 96," SK remarked./p
p data-p-id="33d6b5b3b1ee6e1e7bf51b9a40c05371""The who from the what now?" Hope asked./p
p data-p-id="4703ea972df5f5e648b5a832ee370a58""It's a Tamil Romance movie where this hero will faint if the heroine touches his chest because he's so in love." Hope smirked, which caused SK to realise something./p
p data-p-id="f4b64c3b19ec08f74bcae425048d910c""Oh, Lord Shiva, what have I done?" SK covered facepalmed, using both his hands in embarrassment./p
p data-p-id="46ef5c62c3303c6694061ae41acec9bc"Gilbert Residence/p
p data-p-id="9e0f6af52ba51053197f3ab2ca85686c""Damon, who is it? Damon!" Elena screamed at the top of her lungs as she came to find out what happened and found their surprising guest./p
p data-p-id="7810f79021f0cd4c7dbb57c51d0de80f""What? How is this possible? How are you here? I have so many questions! But first come here" Damon went on to hug Stefan tightly./p
p data-p-id="4ea07460d872c0e802b53f2af36da9a9"Elena and both the brothers were now standing there with tear-filled eyes. After hugging Damon, Stefan hugged Elena./p
p data-p-id="80db808cdd2a84e9a343bed9a7eec708""Stefan," Elena and Damon just gestured and Stefan entered./p
p data-p-id="29395440a3ee9571537c6e87c5476349""Stefan, sit down, we'll get you some coffee" Elena and Damon showed their hospitality to Stefan, after which they went to the kitchen./p
p data-p-id="a8462179c2de98df68a1da7fd5dff4bb"It still felt surreal, as the couple could not believe that it was actually Stefan who was there in front of them. Bonnie had gone to a remote place in Zambia on one of her magical tours so they had to contact their next best option, Caroline. Plus, Caroline was the headmistress of a supernatural school and would know how Stefan was alive. At the very least, they must be able to confirm if this really was their Stefan./p
p data-p-id="0f9322995e5ae71f8177e71b493ffafc"So, Elena video called Caroline./p
p data-p-id="d049fdbd8e3827737fdf960b67593ad4""Hi, Elena. How are you? It's been a long time," Caroline greeted the doppelgänger./p
p data-p-id="9a0af27b526fac3042107cbec04dc329""Hi, Damon, how do you do? I'm here, you know," Damon teased the vampire./p
p data-p-id="e37702917ab66dcca54d402cc3958dc1""Damon!" Elena scowled./p
p data-p-id="6b0a8b13da344e264a3809b8c4ffab53""Caroline, we have to show someone," Elena said to Caroline with a serious face/p
p data-p-id="597727ef64f6f929b653a85c7c1b62e7""You are scaring me, Elena. What is it?" Caroline asked in a worried tone./p
p data-p-id="33895c02d266a5d21165fa3209456359"Elena tilted her phone so that Caroline could now see Stefan./p
p data-p-id="deded2df70dfe822487231e092a1880f"The memories of that fateful day when she had to leave Stefan to die came rushing back. That day, Stefan stayed behind all those years ago in Mystic Falls instead of coming with her./p
p data-p-id="d42208f5159030976c29ff93081f807f"She was the headmistress of a school now, but looking at Stefan made her cry profusely like a baby./p
p data-p-id="3cede74af6d86e89c09453e9eebb8e35""Caroline?" Stefan's eyes were filled with tears again as he sobbed, "I'm sorry for leaving you like that"/p
p data-p-id="b539f924f8402125d74468feaf0d5b76""Don't blame yourself, Stefan. You had to do what you had to do. I understand," Caroline and Stefan were both a sobbing mess now./p
p data-p-id="fd1bb60103c9822160fac5cd7df9a2d1""Elijah was here yesterday and now you. It's like dead people are coming back again." Elena, Damon and Stefan found their eyes widened at this new information from Caroline./p
p data-p-id="a59219d9a5e0a5298062fcb36434afc1""It's not safe to discuss this over the phone. Elena and Damon, bring Stefan by the school."/p
p data-p-id="33e517d93e1e2cd6a819320291309592""Ok Caroline, we'll bring him ASAP," Elena promised as she cut the phone./p
p data-p-id="215142652f9a5d329f559704910ae2f7"Elena took the day off from the hospital and Damon had a nightclub, meaning he didn't have any work to do during the day, which meant that both of them were ready to take Stefan to the school./p
p data-p-id="4bbe77ab3d5b4c2137d76a5a46249ca9"After some time, Elena and the Salvatore brothers found themselves in the headmistress cabin, along with Caroline and Elijah./p
p data-p-id="f614eec499e9bc3d1a2fb3467f9515e5"Stefan and Caroline hugged each other very, very tightly. She knew that it was him. The real him. Call it Caroline-sense if you will, but she knew. They broke their hug after they finished sobbing for about 2 mins./p
p data-p-id="99097080e95f3056b84bb2eb603b6e9e""So, Stefan, please tell us what you remember," Caroline asked calmly./p
p data-p-id="d39e9cd2c22b435369f6b6a643d261ca""Lexi was teasing me as usual for always brooding.." Damon interrupted Stefan as the younger Salvatore just started his story./p
p data-p-id="8352d0fbdf8afc32f864e32f90b2a5e9""You do brood a lot"/p
p data-p-id="b87487fb9d670bcd1c28d0747acef5c3""Damon!" Caroline groaned./p
p data-p-id="95ea994b1046c7e7f4d2285b8663f7f5""Ok, Ok, Sorry. Continue, little brother" Damon raised his hand in surrender./p
p data-p-id="0bbe6faa7a8777f4ed7217cc137957eb"Stefan chuckled as he continued, "So, Lexi was teasing me that I was brooding too much, even at peace, when there was this sudden blue light appeared. I was initially surprised to find Elena there..." Elena gave Stefan a look after which he cleared his throat and continued "... who, as it turned out, was not Elena but Katherine. She was with this blonde guy in a golden armour and another black-haired teenage girl."/p
p data-p-id="73eb3a56b878f19347ffbe51b0345382""Ken and Inadu. The blonde was Ken, and the girl was the hollow." Elijah interrupted this time. All eyes were on him now./p
p data-p-id="83998dcf946ac1a7bdedb46a572407a1""Ken was the God, and The Hollow was the reason Elijah died the first time," Caroline explained and added "Stefan, continue"/p
p data-p-id="0c04eae9d0f6ac12e6f56cb8e80e0161""Before I could understand what was going on, a blue portal opened. It sucked me into it and found myself in your front porch, Elena" Stefan completed his story./p
p data-p-id="f2259abb0855eba068a7a050e64a5064""Based on what Landon told me..." Elijah was interrupted./p
p data-p-id="d8618b92d358bbaa3ecc8b59ce21b8e0""Landon? Who's that?" Damon asked./p
p data-p-id="0c6ecde73bef3989faf887ae89a418d4""Damon, not the time" Caroline was annoyed by Damon's childish antics./p
p data-p-id="08b2876992dac368cd87b60ea7b4f37f""Ahem. From what Stefan told, I believe Katerina has taken the place of dear Landon. Landon told me that this God, Ken, Inadu and Katerina were on a plan to take revenge on Hope. I don't understand is, why would Katerina resurrect Stefan." Elijah poured out all the information he knew to the group./p
p data-p-id="3ad0e58cd1a51c0cd3e32ede83bd1240""It doesn't matter. The biggest, baddest bitch is coming and we need to be ready," Damon announced./p
p data-p-id="bfeea13ef1fc33df9915b58d4481fb93""Believe me, Damon, Katherine is the least of our worries if what Elijah says is true. Ken is a literal God and Inadu can read minds. We're gonna have our hands full." Caroline warned./p
p data-p-id="d2b1564daea44e40a8fca38128d23907"The Woods, Mystic Falls/p
p data-p-id="4c88af06d11f84c63a800504b5ca9010"Through the blue portal, Katherine, Inadu, and Ken appeared through it./p
p data-p-id="66d97ff9ad4c5a005e37b05b2ade69fc""Now that we are here, what's next man-baby?" Katherine taunted Ken, as usual./p
p data-p-id="8ff69b01fd6eefc4b77467cca73b320e"Ken took a deep breath and sighed. "Next, we track down my dear daughter Jen to find the weapon that can kill the Tribrid."/p