AN: Some of the dialogue is from the episode 'Daddy Issues.'

Chapter 4: Tyler Lockwood.

Monday morning. Darwin was in the kitchen, getting ready for his first day at work, when he heard the Salvatore brothers arguing in the Boarding House Library.

"John Gilbert?! That's your big 'Save Elena' plan?"

"I called Isobel and John answered. He said he could help."

"Where is he now?"

"At Elena's."

"If I see him, I'll rip off his head. Even though it might not make much of a difference, since he does most of his thinking with his ass."

"He actually said he'd come by to talk to you sometime today."

"What the Hell do John Gilbert and I have to talk about?!"

"He said he knows a way to keep Elena safe."

The brothers were spreading their dark negative energies like a trail of mud through the house. Darwin grimaced, deciding to perform a cleansing ritual as soon as he got back from work. Now, did he have anymore 'Lighten Up' Spray left?

He grabbed one of his blood bottles from the fridge and put it into his backpack. He heard footsteps in the hall and then Stefan came into the kitchen.

"I'm going into town to see Caroline,"Stefan said, "Do you need a ride?"

"No, "he answered, "I don't have to be at the Library for another hour, so I'll walk. But thanks."

(Break)

Stefan hadn't even entered the house, before Caroline started talking. She sounded frantic.

"Tyler knows about you and Damon, "she said, "And he knows that Damon killed Mason. I don't know, how he found out."

"It must be that other werewolf, Jules. She had a run in with Damon. She probably told him."

"Tyler was really up-set, "Caroline sounded close to tears, "You should have seen him. He was so betrayed!"

"This is bad, "Stefan stated, already trying to come up with a plan, but he couldn't get a hold of his thoughts. They swarmed around in his head.

"You're not going to tell Damon, are you?"

"No, "Stefan answered firmly, "He already thinks all werewolves should die! If Tyler tries to retaliate, he could get himself killed."

"We cannot let that happen, "Caroline grabbed Stefan's arm and pleaded with him, "You have to talk to him, before he does something stupid."

Stefan hesitated. "Why should he listen to me?"

"You always know the right things to say. He and I ... "she paused, "... We are friends."

(Break)

Darwin made one stop on his way to work. At the old Church ruins in the woods. They hadn't been difficult to find. A path that started right in the back yard of the Boarding House led straight to them.

He found the stairs leading to the crypt and followed them down. There was the stone door with the pentagram.

He put his laptops on the ground and went to the door. He grabbed it and pulled it open. Then he took off his backpack and grabbed the bottle of blood from it.

"Katherine? "He called into the open crypt.

At first there was no answer, but then he saw a dark figure appearing. It stayed in the dark and all he could see was that it was a woman with long hair.

"What do you want?" Her voice was hoarse, as if she had been screaming for hours.

"I wanted to give you this." He put the bottle on the ground and rolled it into the crypt.

She stayed silent for ten seconds, then: "Why?"

"No reasons. Just thought you needed it."

Honestly, since Stefan had told him about Katherine, he had thought about her a lot. He couldn't bear the thought of her starving in the tomb. The pain had to be excruciating.

She took a step forward and her face came into the light. He could tell that she was pretty, even with her dark hair matted and her face dirty.

"Thank you, "she said simply.

"You're welcome, "he picked up his things, "I'll bring you more tomorrow."

(Break)

Alaric and Jenna sat at a table in the Grill. They'd had a run in with John Gilbert that morning at the Gilbert house. Neither of them had expected him to come back. At least not this soon.

"I can't believe it, "Jenna said again, "John is Elena's biological father. My sister's husband's brother. How have he been able to keep it a secret for so long?"

She never would have believed it in a million years if Elena hadn't confirmed it.

Alaric reached out and took her hand, turning it over. He started to caress her palm lightly with his fingertips. He hadn't told her that he had already known. Yet another secret he had to keep from her.

"And you're her late biological mother's ex-husband.

"I know, "Alaric told her, "It will take awhile to get used to the thought."

"Hey you two."

Startled, they both looked up, then rolled their eyes when they realised that it was John again. "May I join you? "

"Do you have to?" Jenna asked irritably.

"Maybe not. Look who's here!"

They turned their heads and saw Damon walking up to their table. He ignored Jenna and Alaric and went straight to John. "John, good to see you. How are you?"

(Break)

Stefan stood in the late Mayor's office. It had been easy enough to enter the house. He had already been there on several occasions and knew it quite well. He could hear footsteps draw nearer and stepped back.

Tyler entered the office and went to the desk. He looked up something on the computer. Stefan moved and Tyler immediately picked up the movement. His wolf powers made him faster than a normal human and he went for the door.

But it wasn't a full moon and Stefan was stronger and faster. He caught him and held him up against the wall with an arm on his throat.

"I'm here to talk, "he said reassuringly, "I'm not here to hurt you."

Tyler stopped struggling and gave him an unconvinced look. "Then why did you break in?"

"I didn't. The door was open." Stefan slowly released Tyler and took a step back. He wanted to give Tyler some breathing space, but stayed close enough to him that he could catch him, if he tried to run again.

"Tell me how Mason died, "Tyler demanded.

"You already know. About Caroline, she's your friend. She's not perfect, but you don't want to be her enemy."

"I thought that vampires and werewolves were supposed to be enemies."

Stefan sighed. "Look, it doesn't have to be that way. We can find a way to live together without fighting. We can make it work. This is our home."

Suddenly, Tyler's cell phone started ringing on the desk, distracting Stefan and before he had time to react, Tyler jumped forward and answered the phone.

"Jules, help!"

There was a short struggle, before Stefan managed to wring the phone from Tyler's hands.

"Dammit, Tyler, "he said, exasperatedly, "I'm trying to safe your life."

(Break)

"So, rumor has it that you know something, "Damon said, sending John an impatient glare.

"Yes, problem is that I don't know if I trust you, Damon. Vampires can be compelled by Originals. How do I know you're not compelled by Elijah? Katherine is. That's why she's still in the tomb."

They were standing at the back of the Grill, away from the other customers. Damon was leaning casually against the wall. They were side by side, rather than face to face.

"I'm full of vervain, "Damon answered, "and so is my brother."

John looked slightly startled. "You are drinking vervain?"

"Yes. So what do you have to say?"

John seemed to consider for a moment, then said: "I'll come to the Boarding House tonight. Then I'll show you."

(Break)

Stefan and Tyler were regarding each other in silence for several minutes. Finally, Tyler broke the silence: "You want to be friends, great, we're friends. Will you go now?"

Stefan was about to answer, when his phone started vibrating in his pocket. He grabbed it and checked the callerID. It was Caroline.

"Yes?"

A female voice he didn't recognise answered: "Do you want to see your friend alive again?"

He frowned. "Who is this?"

"Ask your brother."

"Jules? Where is Caroline?"

"She's right here ... You want proof?"

First there was nothing, then the sound of a gunshot and Caroline screaming.

"Bring Tyler to me, "Jules demanded, "The clearing by Wickery Falls. You have twenty minutes until Caroline dies."

Then she hung up and Stefan was left staring at his phone, feeling the beginning of panic. Somehow, he knew this was a trap,but there was no way he could let Caroline die. Tyler stood next to him with a confused look on his face. "What's happening?"

(Break)

It was getting late. Damon was sitting alone by the bar, wondering exactly what John Gilbert had dug up. And even if he did have something and it turned out to be useful, could John really be trusted? At all?

No. No way in Hell.

"Damon ... "

He turned his head and saw Jenna standing beside him with a strange woman. Strange, but looking familiar, somehow.

"This is my friend, "Jenna continued, "she wants to meet you. This is ... "

"Andie Star, "he said, finally recognising her, "You're the news lady."

"Yes, that's me, "she sat down next to him, "can I buy you a drink?"

"Well ... " They were interrupted by his phone and he answered, turning away: "What is it?"

"Jules have Caroline, "Stefan was saying urgently, "She wants me to bring her Tyler, or she is going to kill her."

"All right, calm down, "Damon tried to think, but wasn't exactly successful. He hadn't been drinking a lot, but there was a lot of noise in the Grill, "Where are you?"

"At the Lockwood Mansion with Tyler."

"And why are you with Tyler?"

"He found out about Mason. Caroline asked me to talk to him."

"Stay where you are. I'll be there in five minutes."

He put the phone back in his pocket and turned to Andie. "That was my brother. An emergency. We have to continue this some other time."

He didn't wait for her response, before he was out of his seat and gone. At the door he almost collided with Darwin, who was on his way in.

"Whoa, what is wrong? "the boy inquired with a sightly worried look on his face, while holding Damon back with a surprisingly strong hand.

Damon rolled his eyes. He really didn't have time for this. "The werewolves have Caroline. They are going to kill her, unless we bring them Tyler."

"Fine, "Darwin nodded, frowning. "But ..."

In sheer frustration, Damon grabbed him by the shoulders. "Darwin!"

"Right, I get it, "the strange ancient man-child assured him. "Death and disaster ahead, no time for conversation, up and away!"

"Then get out of my way."

Darwin finally let him pass, but added to his back: "I'm coming with you."

Damon looked at him doubtfully over his shoulder. "Do you know how to fight?"

"Not at all. But I'm pretty strong. Maybe I can help."

Damon sighed. He knew there wasn't time to consider. "All right, but you'll stay three steps behind."

AN: Lighten Up Spray is actually something I found on the net. Apart from Darwin, who the Hell buys these things?