What the Teacher Saw

Elena was actually glad to see him in the kitchen with Jenna when she arrived home. Alaric Saltzman was a teacher, but he was someone who might be able to help.

"Hi Elena," Jenna said as she stood in the door trying to get his attention.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked Alaric. Then to Jenna she added "Student-teacher stuff"

Alaric looked at Jenna "Is it OK? I won't be long."

Jenna nodded though she gave Elena an odd look.

Alaric hesitated a little as he followed Elena into her room. This wasn't school, and he was not sure it was appropriate.

"Are you sure you want to talk to me?" the teacher asked. "If it is girl stuff, you have Jenna and Bonnie to talk to. If it is Vampire-related, you have Stefan and Bonnie. Maybe you should just talk to Bonnie."

"It's about Bonnie." Elena said, sitting on her bed. Alaric remained standing, leaning against the closed door.

"Fine. What is it?"

Elena hesitated. She kept thinking to herself "Don't bring up Katherine." If she was to tell anyone about Katherine's visit, it would be Stefan, but Damon apparently hadn't said anything to him. And she was unwilling to test his reaction to the news that the girl he had been in love with (even though it was a long time ago) was back. She resolved not to mention Katherine's visit.

"She threatened Damon and Stefan."

Alaric waited for more, but she didn't say anything. "Is about the burning of the tomb vampires? I know she saved them when you asked her to."

"No. This was later. She told Stefan that if Damon hurt any more innocents, she would destroy him, and Stefan too, if the tried to stop her."

"Do you disagree with her that innocents should be left alone?" Alaric asked.

"No. Of course not. But I convinced Stefan and Damon to trust Bonnie, and she let them down. She let me down. She was going to let them burn until I tried to go in after them. "

"But she did save them." Alaric noted.

"The point is, I want us to be on the same side, but I'm not sure what side she is on."

Alaric knew what she was asking and tried to explain. "Bonnie's family has a long history in Mystic Falls, Elena. They were protectors. Bonnie sees that as her role as well."

"I want to protect the town too. Stefan isn't a threat."

Alarics face showed that he wasn't convinced. "But Damon?"

"Not any more," Elena replied. "He has helped a lot recently. You know that."

"I know they are threats. Both of them. They have both shown it."

"They can control it. They are controlling it." Elena was beginning to wonder if this conversation was such a good idea.

"I don't know everything, but Stefan and Damon have been wreaking havoc for years. Ever since they lost Katherine they have been fighting each other. They behaved for her. Once she was gone, they could not be controlled."

Elena tried to argue. "Stefan lives on animal blood."

"It wasn't always so. And do you think that makes him 'good'? These are not two vampires out converting other vampires to live in peace with humans. Are they working together now to try to keep Mystic Falls safe? Yeah. But it's not because they are good. It's because of you."

Elena shook her head as what he was saying sank in.

"Stefan's not evil," she denied. "He wouldn't hurt anyone or anything."

"He has killed other vampires to keep you safe."

The student didn't know how to respond. Of course, he was right. "That doesn't make him evil."

"Nor is it wrong for Bonnie to let vampires die to keep the town safe."

"Do you think I would be with Stefan if he was a threat to Mystic Falls?"

"I didn't say that." Alaric replied. "I'm saying I have studied vampires for a long time, and I think they are like humans. Some are mostly good, some mostly bad. Maybe some are all bad. I'm just not sure you can know. They can shut off whatever humanity they have anytime they want. Damon told me that himself."

Elena was desperate and defensive. "They both have it under control."

"Can you honestly say that?" Alaric asked. "Can you tell me you have never seen them without humanity?"

"We're not talking about what they were. We're talking about what they are."

"What they are, Elena, is loyal to you. There is no one they will not destroy if there is a real or perceived threat to you."

Elena closed her eyes and took a calming breath. She spoke softly. "I only want them and the town to be safe."

Alaric tried to sound reasonable in response. "Do you really think there is a 'safe' when you are around vampires? Even Isobel started out just mildly interested. What could be safer than a little research? Now she's gone."

Elena met his eyes. "You really loved her – my mother, didn't you?" She had meant to say birth-mother, but it didn't come out that way.

"I did. Your mother was the Isobel I loved when I met her and when I married her. When she came here threatening you and everyone else, I knew that whatever she became, she was not my Isobel. Not your mother."

"But it was after she changed that she gave you the ring." Elena pointed out. "The ring that saved your life. She still loves you, protects you."

Alaric shook his head. "I didn't say I understand it. They are not always all bad. She comes and threatens me, but at the same time protects me as best she can. I don't know what to make of it."

"She still loves you."

"Maybe. But it is not something I have to think about. She's gone. But you need to be careful, Elena. Maybe Stefan can control himself most of the time. Damon cannot be taken lightly."

"I don't take him lightly. But he's changing. He's becoming more like Stefan."

"You need to be careful around him, Elena." Alaric repeated.

"He won't hurt me."

"Are you sure? He tried to kill me. And it's not just about what he does. It's about what you feel for him."

The student bristled and stared at her teacher briefly. "What do you mean? I'm with Stefan."

"We saw you, Elena, Jenna and I, when you danced with him. We saw the way you were looking at each other."

"That was for the audience. It was a show." Elena said defensively.

"No. Caroline Forbes with a big smile painted on as she looked at her fill-in escort. That was a show. What you and Damon were doing was not a show. Whatever it was, it was real."

Elena swallowed and exhaled before saying "I asked you up here to talk about Bonnie. What should I do about her?"

Alaric shook his head. "Talk to her. You are friends aren't you? Talk to her when there are no vampires or victims nearby – no plots or spells. You will at least understand each other better."

Elena let out a breath and nodded. "OK. I can do that. I will"

"And Elena, please. I am starting to think of you as family. Be careful?"

Elena nodded slightly as Alaric left her room.

Maybe it was a mistake – it hadn't been so private lately. But she needed to write. Elena pulled out her journal.

The Chat

Elena woke up suddenly. It was still dark outside. But something was wrong. Then she noticed a figure in the nearby chair. She sat up in bed - slowly, deliberately.

"Not a screamer. Impressive," Katherine said arising from the chair.

"I know better. Dating a vampire," Elena replied. She was upset, but did her best to control it.

"Everything I've heard is true. You look like me, even sound like me. It really is amazing. We could be twins."

"Give or take a hundred and fifty years. What do you want Katherine."

"Not all that sociable, though." Katherine noted.

"I do that during daytime hours." Elena was glad her voice remained calm.

"Then you're missing out. The dark has its advantages."

Elena didn't respond. The longer the vampire just stood there, the more nervous the human became.

Katherine waited briefly, knowing it was increasing Elena's fear. "OK, I guess it will take us longer to become 'chatting friends'." She moved to stand at the foot of Elena's bed.

"You've probably heard a lot about me. None of it good, I imagine."

Elena felt a little safer with the bed between them. She knew it was unreasonable, but she did. And she was feeling a bit contradictory. "I heard you were loved." she said.

Katherine smiled briefly. "Yes I was. And I loved them as well. Still do. Which is why I'm here."

Elena was not sure where this was headed, but she was thinking it could not turn out well. She waited.

"Let's talk about the Gilberts. Do you know why your family is almost gone?"

"I'm not a Gilbert." Elena denied, ignoring her biological father. "I'm part of your family."

Katherine laughed to herself again. "So you are. I am starting to see why they like you. Your adopted family, then. Do you know why they are almost gone? It is not just bad luck."

"Are you saying it was you?"

"You can infer what you want, but you should know that the Gilberts have done nothing but try to destroy us since the beginning. Now they are almost gone. They only remain because through some stroke of fate, you became one of them."

Elena stared at Katherine. "Are you saying you would have killed Jenna and Jeremy if I were not here?"

"Again, infer what you want. But you need to know that it could still happen."

Elena was getting a little worried now. "They aren't a threat to you."

"Jeremy knows. He knows the history. Every Gilbert that has known has been a threat."

"I know the history, and you know I'm not a threat to you."

"And you just said you're not really a Gilbert - you're my family. Probably my only living relative now – give or take a vampire are two."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that the Gilberts are nearly gone. If they become a threat, it is easily dealt with now. The only remaining Salvatores are on our side. The only real threat remaining in Mystic Falls is the witch."

"Bonnie? But she…" Elena couldn't finish. She was starting to understand Katherine.

"I didn't start this feud." Katherine said. "But I am close to finishing it."

"People have died, Katherine. Good people."

"People always die. And it's not just humans who die."

Katherine could see Elena's expression, and she actually softened a bit – or so Elena thought. "Look, I know you have lost a lot. And I know it hurts. I've lived a lot longer than you and I've lost a lot more. When that happens, it's not that you become heartless. It's that you lose enough that you refuse to lose anymore. You no longer hurt, you just get angry. There comes a time when any further loss will just result in revenge. And that is where the witch comes in."

"What do you mean?" Elena asked, visibly upset now.

"She needs to know the consequences if she harms you, Stefan or Damon."

"Me? Why would you care?"

"You're family, Elena. And you are the only reason there are still Gilberts in Mystic Falls. If they protect you and are not a threat to us, they will be left alone. If that changes…"

"It won't." Elena said quickly, "Jenna still doesn't know. And Jeremy was in love with a vampire. They're not a threat and won't become one. There's no reason for you to hurt them."

"Time will tell. But now you know."

"Are you my protector now? Am I supposed to be grateful?"

"I don't expect you to care, Elena. Not now, anyway. I am asking you to talk to the witch – to convince her to leave you and the Salvatores alone."

"Bonnie is not a threat to me." Elena said.

The vampire was not convinced. "Don't be so sure. She is already threatening those you love. Do you think it's such a big leap from harming them to harming you? Besides, if she really is your friend, there are those that would hurt you just to cause her pain."

"Damon and Stefan won't let that happen."

"Damon, Stefan and me. It's true - you have the best protection you could possibly have, in this town anyway. But is not really a good time or place to have the name 'Gilbert'. There are a lot of creatures who would take you out just to get back at the town, the witch, Damon, Stefan, or me."

"No one's threatened me…" Elena started. But she knew it wasn't true.

"A lot of vampires have died here recently. That is not unnoticed. And part of the reason is the witch. That is not unnoticed either."

"She's just trying to protect..."

Katherine interrupted harshly. "I know what she is doing and why. I saw it in Emily, and in every member of her family since. But she needs to know that if she or anyone in this town she is so fond of harms you, Stefan or Damon, it will be burned to the ground and there will not be a human or a witch alive within a hundred miles." Katherine was starting coldly at Elena now.

Elena was stunned. She was even more nervous as she responded. "She can fight you. I've seen her power."

"Against a few vampires? Yeah, she can fight. But it wouldn't take much to raise an army of vampires willing to destroy Mystic Falls. She would lose."

Elena was looking down now, trying to process all of this when Katherine spoke again - calmer now.

"I don't want a fight, Elena. I prefer her on our side, but at least I want her to leave us alone."

"She already said if Damon hurt anyone…"

"I've heard." the vampire interrupted. "And do you think she doesn't mean Stefan as well?"

"They don't think you care about them," repeating what Damon and Stefan had said about Katherine.

"And they are to continue to think that, Elena. Secrets make for good relationships. Talk to the witch alone."

Elena briefly considered what was being asked of her. "I don't think she'll change her mind. And she won't respond to threats."

"Then don't threaten her. Look, Elena, we want the same thing. We want the same people safe and living their lives. I've tried living in peace with my secrets. The Gilberts and Salvatores ended that. They didn't care who I was, who I loved or who loved me. They just cared what I was and wanted me dead. Don't let the witch make that mistake. I'm not losing anyone else."

"I'll try." Elena agreed.

"You'll make her understand."

"Why do I feel threatened? You're protecting me by threatening me?"

Katherine moved towards the door. Her face showed no emotion as she left. "You'll work it out."

"Oh Katherine," Elena said as the vampire reached the door, "Family knocks."

The Target

Elena needed the walk to clear her mind – to try to formulate what she was going to say to Bonnie. She was walking to Bonnie's house, but was reconsidering as she drew close - would she be up to walking back after this was done?

Suddenly Damon was in front of her. "Out for a stroll – alone?"

"Yeah, so?" Elena said, annoyed that he had interrupted her thoughts.

"Does Stefan know?"

"He's not my keeper. What are you doing here?"

"A better question, Elena, is what are you doing here?"

She did not appreciate the challenge. "Bonnie is my friend. I came to talk to her." Then she became a little worried. "I don't thinks it's safe for you to be here Damon."

"Why? I haven't spilled any innocent blood. Or does that not matter anymore?"

"Damon, please. Just let me talk to her."

Damon looked at her. "Do you think you can convince her that she's wrong? Elena, you know she isn't. You know what I've done. What I might do again."

Elena nodded. "Yeah, I do. Bad and good."

"Then what will you tell her? That I'm good now? She knows better. That I'll go away? Not without you."

Elena looked into his eyes, almost breathless as she spoke. "Damon, don't say things like that."

"Why not? It's true enough. You are honest with me, I'll be honest with you."

Elena closed her eyes and shook her head. "And I'll be honest with Bonnie. I'll tell her that if she hurts you, it'll hurt me." She met his eyes again just before turning to walk to Bonnie's house "but I don't know if it'll be enough…"