What Vampires Fear

"I had no idea," Alaric said. "Maybe I can understand what she was thinking when she did what she did to Jenna."

Isobel had told Alaric everything she knew about the day before Elena had Damon erase Jenna's memory.

"She only did what she had to, Rick. She always does what she has to. It's why others are starting to fear her."

"Others? What do you mean?"

"Other vampires – those that aren't Salvatores or connected to Katherine."

"Other vampires fear Elena?"

The vampire nodded. "It may not be on CNN, but word gets around. They know what happened on Founder's Day here."

"That wasn't Elena," Alaric countered.

"It was a Gilbert, along with a few other Mystic Falls families. They know that. And they know the name Elena Gilbert."

"But she's your daughter, not really a Gilbert."

"She is a Gilbert and she acts like it, as far as keeping vampires out of the town. They also know she has started working for or with Katherine. Most of the vampires that know of Katherine really hate and fear her. And now, this Gilbert – a name they know, fear and hate, starts working with Katherine, who they know, fear and hate. Do you see where this is going?"

Alaric did.

"Then they hear that vampires are starting to die around Elena."

"Not just her," Alaric objected. "You were there sometimes, so was I."

"Sometimes you, sometimes me, different people or vampires around her. But she was always there. She is the constant. They're not stupid enough to miss it."

"So, what does it mean?"

"And," Isobel continued, "they hear that several parties have tried to take her out. Just vampires, or very recently, vampires working with humans. And anyone that has tried, vampire or human, has ended up dead."

"OK, so…?"

"So there are some who would raze the town to take out Elena. Or Katherine. But they can't get to Katherine and they know that Elena works for Katherine – getting her would get Katherine."

Alaric just stared, waiting for her to continue.

"We hear things too, Rick. And we've heard that someone is raising a band of vampires to do just that. We're trying to get ready for it. Katherine is talking to Stefan now, finding out what he's willing to do. And I'm talking to you, seeing if you're willing to help us. Are you?"

The Most Vulnerable

Jeremy and Jenna were watching TV when she thought she smelled something. She looked out a window and saw someone who looked like they were trying to start a fire.

Jenna opened the window and yelled at the man "Hey. What are you doing?"

Jeremy was up and recognized what he was.

"Come away from the window, Jenna."

"I'm calling someone," she said, heading for the phone.

"No, let me," Jeremy said. He pulled out his phone and called Elena. Looking out the widows he could see there were three. All looked like they were doing the same thing.

"Jeremy?" Elena asked as she answered.

"Elena, I think there are vampires here."

Jenna was looking out the window. "Elena? You're calling Elena?"

"What?" Elena asked.

Jeremy heard an audible gasp from Jenna. He went to the window to see what she was watching. Stefan and two other vampires were attacking those trying to start fires.

Jenna heard Elena's voice behind her, "She shouldn't be watching this, Jeremy."

They both turned around.

"Elena?" Jeremy asked.

"Jer, please talk to me." Elena said from the phone.

"Hello again Jeremy. Come away from the windows, please."

Jeremy disconnected the cell phone and turned it off.

"Elena," Jenna said, "they're trying to start a fire."

"I know. But they won't."

"Katherine?" Jeremy asked.

Katherine nodded. "We'll need to get you someplace safe."

"What do you mean?" Jenna asked.

Stefan entered. Another vampire was visible on the doorstep

"She means they might come back." Stefan said. "But someone will stay here and try to stop them. Will you come with me? I'll take you someplace safe until this is done."

Jenna looked at Jeremy who nodded.

"Will you call for some help?" she asked Stefan.

"Yes. Your home will be fine."

Jenna nodded and went to Stefan.

Katherine spoke now. "Marcus is at the doorstep, Jeremy. He will carry you. Is that all right?"

Jeremy nodded. "What's happening? Where is Elena?"

"She's with Bonnie. I will call her and let her know you are being taken to safety."

"Are we going to Bonnie's house?"

"No, Jeremy. You and Elena may both be targets. You'll be in different places."

"Targets?" Jeremy asked.

"Marcus and Stefan will do everything they can to keep you safe. But Jeremy, you should know that Jenna is the vulnerable one. If anything attacks and gets through, it will get through to you."

"And we'll find out if this ring really works."

"It worked for John Gilbert. The other worked for Alaric Saltzman – which, I am told you witnessed."

"Seeing and experiencing are different, " Jeremy said as he walked to Stefan and the one she called Marcus.

Katherine watched as Stefan convinced Jenna to allow him to lift her, and as the vampires carried the humans away in a blur.

Different From What Was Imagined

Elena was frantic. Jeremy's phone was gone – no answer. She had pulled out the phone Katherine had given her, wondering if this was danger enough to keep her out of trouble.

Then it rang.

"Katherine?" Elena asked.

"Are you with Damon, Elena?"

"Yes."

"Stay with him. Do as he asks. Ask him how many vampires are near the house."

"Damon," Elena said, catching his attention. "How many vampires are around the house? Katherine wants to know."

"Twelve."

"He says twelve," Elena repeated into the phone.

"Then that's all. And two or three may leave."

"What's going on? Jeremy called, but we were cut off."

"I know Elena," Katherine tried to reassure her. "He is with Stefan, Jenna and one of my vampires. They are being taken to safety."

"Was my house attacked again?"

"Yes, but the attackers have been destroyed. One of my guys will stay here to keep anything else from happening."

"Why are they doing this?"

"They're looking for you, Elena. Stay there with Damon. With Bonnie's house protected, with Damon and the others outside, nothing should get to you. I'll call you soon to let you know what to do next."

Katherine disconnected before Elena could speak again.

Damon could see that Elena was upset. "What did she say" Damon asked.

"Vampires at my house. Stefan and one of her idiots are taking Jenna and Jeremy to safety."

"Then she was right. Someone's coming for you." Damon regretted saying it immediately. Elena looked afraid – a look he couldn't remember ever seeing on her.

"She's never had so many idiots with me. She's telling me to stay with you and Bonnie. She's really worried about this."

"You are too," Damon said. "But we've stopped everything else. We'll stop this."

"But if they get through…"

"They won't, Elena. Not while I'm alive."

"We could both be dead tomorrow, or tonight." Elena shook her head and decided to tell him. He had to know. She couldn't take a chance that it would end without him knowing.

"The bracelet stays," Elena said.

"What?" Damon asked.

Elena held up the wrist with the bracelet. "The bracelet stays. You win the prize, if she lives through this."

Damon hesitated a second as he realized what she was saying. "Oh. Sweet!"

Elena watched him for a few seconds, waiting for a reaction that didn't come.

"Oh? Sweet?" she finally asked. She was almost glaring at him now. "That's it?"

Bonnie came in. "Couldn't help overhearing. Let me be the first to congratulate you. My best friend and my new…uh…"

"Best friend-in-law." Damon said, smirking at her.

"God, I imagined this moment differently," Elena muttered to herself.

We Don't Hug

Alaric was with Isobel, having shown her the vervain darts, making more, when her phone rang. She left the room to take the call.

When she returned, she was visibly agitated.

"Rick, its going down now. The Salvatore house was on fire and they tried to set one at the Gilbert house. Elena's holed up at the Bennett house."

"You sounded like you were just starting to get ready."

"Katherine thought we had more time. Not everything is in place for this. And the best part is, you're a target."

"So I'd better finish these. We could have company any time."

"Oh we will have company," Isobel said. "Two of Katherine's vampires are coming to join us."

"Well I hope you can tell hers from the bad guys. I won't be able to."

"Sure you can Rick. We're not into hugging. If one jumps at me or you, shoot it with one of your darts."