"We should talk about what happened last night." Elena said.

"Yeah. That was crazy." Jeremy told her. They looked at each other.

"It wasn't you, was it?" They asked at the same time.

"I was with Bonnie and Caroline." Elena told him. "I was planning to leave, but then I ran into Damon, so I stayed to watch the game. I was with them when I got Stefan's text message. It wasn't me."

"Well, what reason do I have to attack Tanner? I didn't even know him!" Jeremy pointed out. "Besides, I wasn't even at the school until Vicki called."

"You think those guys that killed us are at it again?" Elena asked. "Trying to frame us?"

"If it is them, we are so outmatched." Jeremy said.

At the Boarding House, Salvatores were discussing the same problem. "They ruled it as an animal attack." Damon told his brother.

"You sure it was an animal?"

"How should I know?" Damon asked. "At this point, I can't tell if it's real or if it's a cover-up."

"Who would cover…don't start this again. It's way too early in the morning to deal with it." Stefan told him.

"Well, if it is what I think it is, you're girlfriend's charm bracelets should keep us safe."

"For the last time, Damon, we are just friends." Stefan said.

Downstairs, Elena was carrying a box. "What's all this?" Jenna asked.

"Mom wanted to let Mrs. Lockwood borrow it for the display at the Founder's Ball." Elena explained.

"Whoa, hang on." Jeremy said. "Did you check to see if there was anything in there that might be dangerous?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, to us."

"I'm sure it's all safe, Jer." Elena told him. "But just in case, go ahead." The doorbell rang. Elena gave the box to Jeremy and answered.

"You okay?" Stefan asked.

"Just a little shaken up, but fine." Elena told him. They headed upstairs to talk in private. "What about you? Are you okay?"

"Yeah. It's not like I knew him or anything." Stefan said.

"He was kind of a jerk, though."

"I just hope this whole thing gets cleared up. No one can figure out what happened."

"You know, they're having the Founder's party tomorrow night." Elena told him, trying to change the subject. She didn't want to think of the possibility of the other vampires still out there.

"So, is it like some town event or something?" Stefan asked.

"Apparently our town's Founding Families are important to the community." Elena explained. "Besides, this year they're having a display of the town's heritage. It meant a lot to my mom. She was on the council and it was her favorite party every year."

"What time should I pick you up, Miss Gilbert?" Stefan asked her. Elena couldn't keep herself from laughing.

"Around six would be okay."

"He's coming to the Founder's Party? What were you thinking?" Bonnie asked her. They were outside the Lockwood's place.

"It's no big deal, Bonnie." Caroline said.

"No big deal, the guy gets on everyone's nerves!" Bonnie pointed out. "Including yours!"

"Look, not like he has a choice. He's on the council." Caroline shot back.

"Right. Sorry, I'm just freaked over this whole Tanner thing." Bonnie told her.

"He and his brother have some issues to work out." Caroline pointed out. "Besides, I already have a date to the party."

"Who is it?" Bonnie asked.

"Some guy that works at the Grill. I didn't catch is name."

"So, someone that you don't even know?"

"Don't tell anyone, okay?"

"Hey, how are you?" Tyler asked. Vicki looked over at him.

"I've been better." Vicki told him. "Look, I really just don't want to talk right now."

"Is this about Tanner?" Tyler asked.

"No, it's just…" Vicki sighed. "I don't know. I'm tired of feeling used by guys all the time."

"I wouldn't do that." Tyler told her.

"So, that Founder's Party is this week, right?" She asked, changing the subject.

"You want to come as my date?"

"No, I find these things stupid and lame." Vicki told him.

"So do I. But it'd be less stupid and lame if you were there." Tyler said. He noticed Jeremy walking over. "I'll give you two some time to talk." He walked away.

"Ty!" Vicki called after him.

"Wow, Vicki, you look great." Jeremy told her. "Is that new?"

"Yeah. Retail therapy helps when I'm upset sometimes." Vicki said.

"You know, he really does care about you." Jeremy said. "Why don't you give him a chance?"

That afternoon, Tyler showed up at Elena's house. "My mom sent me to pick up a box of stuff for the display."

"Here," Elena gave it to him. "Please be careful with it. I'm meeting with your mom tonight."

A few hours later, Bonnie showed up to help Elena with her dress. "What do you think?"

"Maybe we should mix them." Elena said.

"You seem happy."

"I am. It's been a long time sense I've felt this way." Elena told her. "So, what was it you wanted to tell me?"

"Can I just tell you in the morning?" Bonnie asked. "I don't want to ruin things."

"Bonnie…"

"Okay, but Caroline will kill me if she finds out I told you." Bonnie said. "Do you know what happened with Stefan and Katherine?"

"So that's her name?" Elena asked.

"Apparently." Bonnie said.

"Only that both he and Damon dated her and that she used them." Elena said. "And then she left town and never came back."

"Yeah, but Damon doesn't think he's over her." Bonnie said. "I think that he thinks that Stefan's using you to get over her."

"That only sounds like his side of the story. Besides, he broke up with her three years ago." Elena pointed out.

"I just thought you should know."

"Look, I already know that isn't true. Besides, she was hiding who she really was." Elena told her.

"Well, it's a good thing you don't have that problem, then."

"I am sort of hiding something." Elena admitted. "But I can't tell anyone yet."

"You know that no matter how bad it is, I'll have your back, right?" Bonnie asked. Elena sighed. How was she ever going to be able to tell her the truth? Would she even accept her then?

"So, what time is this thing again?" Damon asked his brother as he walked in.

"Why are you going?"

"Well, the Council is having a small gathering." Damon explained. "Besides, all the Founding Families will be there."

"Just don't do anything stupid this time."

"What's your deal? Nervous about your date?"

"Can't I ever have a life without you messing with me?" Stefan asked.

"Seriously, man. Just go for it." Damon told him. "I can tell she likes you." Stefan slowly stepped out of the room.

Elena's phone rang. "Hello? Mrs. Lockwood? What do you mean?" She listened carefully. "Are you sure? It was there. I'll check and make sure, okay?" She walked into Jeremy's room.

"What's up?"

"Where's the pocket watch?" Elena asked.

"What?"

"The one from the loan box. Mrs. Lockwood said it was missing. She can't find it and thinks she lost it." Elena explained. "I know you took it. You were the last one to go through the stuff."

"Look, we can't let them find this thing." Jeremy told her. He placed it on the table.

"Why not?"

"Because it gets passed down to the firstborn son in our family." Jeremy explained. "And I think this is the Gilbert compass."

"You mean the one that tracks…" Elena started to ask.

"Yeah."

"Look, there's no proof that…" Jeremy placed it on the table and opened it. Surely enough, the dial pointed toward Elena.

"Do you believe me now?" Jeremy asked. Elena looked at the artifact in surprise.

"We better make sure they don't find it." Elena said. "There's an old normal one in the attic."

The next day, almost the whole town was at the Founder's party.

"Hey, Tyler." Vicki said.

"Hey, I know a short way around here."

"You sure that's a good idea?" Vicki asked him.

"The party's in the backyard anyway. I know every inch of this house, come on." Tyler told her. She reluctantly followed him.

"Caroline. How are you?" Mrs. Lockwood asked.

"Fine." Caroline said. She was with some guy. "This is Marcus. He's my date."

"Well, don't just stand there, come in you two." The two of them entered the room together.

"I'll be right back." Caroline told her date, spotting her mom. "Really? You couldn't even change out of the badge for this?"

"I'm working, honey." Sheriff Forbes told her. "Who's the date you just tried to sneak past me?"

"Just some guy from school." Caroline explained.

"Wow. The original guest registry's listed here." Elena said. "That name looks familiar." She looked at the list and realized they were the original founders.

"Johnathan Gilbert." Damon read aloud. Elena jumped. She didn't hear him come in. "Any relation to your family?"

"This might not be the best time to discuss that." Stefan pointed out.

"It's okay. I don't mind." Elena said. "I think he might be related to my Uncle John, but he's out of town. I'll ask next time he visits."

"Have you seen Marcus anywhere?" Caroline asked. "I lost him in the crowd." The group looked at each other.

"No, sorry." Damon told her.

"Mind if I talk to your date?" Caroline asked.

"Not at all." Elena said. She felt sorry for Stefan as Caroline pulled him toward the dance floor.

"Uh, I'm not a good dancer." Stefan told her.

"Since when?" Damon asked. Stefan shot him a look that said, You're not helping.

"Well, I wanted to talk where they wouldn't be able to hear." Caroline told him. Elena heard this.

"You two go on." Elena said, encouraging her. The two of them walked away, leaving Elena alone with Damon.