...

Stefan came running down the hospital hallway, after a quick inquiry at the admissions desk. His shirt was still full of grease stains, his fingernails dirty. A rag was stuck haphazardly into his back pocket, almost falling out.

He was a man on a mission, and that mission was to be there for his brother, to make sure he was okay.

Stefan stopped in his tracks as he finally reached his destination. Elena stood in the hallway, arms folded in front of her, and listened to a doctor in scrubs, while she kept her eyes trained on the open door to what must have been Damon's room.

"Elena," he said, quiet and out of breath. As she heard him, she looked up, straight at him, and he witnessed her composure crumple.

The doctor laid a hand on her shoulder, a quick brief gesture of comfort, then he nodded to Stefan, "You're the brother?"

He had reached the two of them by then and was standing right next to Elena, grimacing, "Ya, Stefan Salvatore. Is my brother…"

"Dr. Washington," the doctor introduced himself curtly, "Your brother had a myocardial infarction, Mr. Salvatore. - Yes, a heart attack. He is stable now. Thanks to Ms. Gilbert's quick reaction we could take care of him within the recommended time window and were able to reestablish proper blood flow to the heart. We will, however, need to monitor him closely. Your brother is a young man, and not at all in any risk group for an infarction like that. Therefore we need to try and rule out any underlying conditions…"

The man went on to explain a few more things, but Stefan caught himself zoning out. Damon had had a heart attack. But he was stable. The younger Salvatore needed a moment to digest the news.

When they had thanked the doctor and were finally alone, Stefan gave Elena the big hug he had wanted to give her all along. She clung to him, like he clung to her. It was a moment of rare intimacy between the two. Neither of them could imagine a life without Damon Salvatore in it, and they both had had a horrible scare.

When she had called him, he hadn't even waited for her to finish explaining. He had stopped what he was doing, hopped into his car and driven over as fast as he could.

Elena eventually let go of him and they exchanged a glance. "He's sleeping now - the medication… but you can go in, if you'd like…" Her voice died. She still sniffled a bit, but all he had was his disgusting rag. He pulled it out and showed it to her. "Um, if you need it, it's yours."

He got a laugh out of her. It made both of them feel better.

"Have you been inside?" He wanted to know and she nodded.

"I'll give you two some time, if you want," she whispered.

He shook his head. "Come on in with me, Elena. We are all family now. He'll want you there."

"And you." She smiled.

"Or none of us. He hates witnesses to any sign of his 'weakness.'" They both laughed a little at the thought, but it didn't last. The worry sat too deep in their bones still.

Stefan walked in after ushering her in first. Damon looked pale and exhausted on the hospital sheets, and the beeping monitor recording his heart beat filled the room with a steady stream of noise. It got to the younger brother almost immediately.

Elena had already grabbed a chair and was sitting next to the bed, holding Damon's hand, when Stefan approached his brother as well. In a gesture of rare tenderness, he ran a hand across his brother's sunken cheek, then sat down as well, burying his face in his hands for a moment, until Elena asked him, "Are you okay?"

"I'm just worried. I guess I'm not used to 'normal human life'," he used air quotation marks, "to be so dangerous. This really caught me off guard. I'm… I'm really glad you were there for him, Elena. Without you… Thank you."

He looked at her with his earnest, sincere face, an expression Elena had seen him wear so often that it was surprising how much it got to her now. She could tell how shaken he was, and how much he loved his brother. He had grabbed Damon's other hand by now and was sitting there, holding it, mumbling almost inaudibly, "Rest now, brother. I need you around for a little while longer, okay?"

She had always known how deep the brothers' love for each other was, but seeing it displayed in front of her again right there was the sweetest thing she had seen in a while. She smiled briefly before the worry returned.

"I just don't know how this could happen, Stefan. I mean, it's not like he isn't fit or… well, he should adjust his diet a little to human life, but… other than that, this just came out of the blue."

His eyebrows gave away his concern. "I know…"

"At first, when it happened, he said something about a dream coming true. A good dream turned bad or something. I was super confused, but then he said he'd dreamed about our wedding day," she smiled a small smile at the thought, but sobered quickly, "but then something bad happened in the dream and his heart… he said it felt like it happened in the dream first and then in real life."

"It was probably just his subconscious making sense of the heart attack, Elena. You know, like when an alarm goes off and your subconscious incorporates the sound into your current dream, where it can be anything from the beeping of a microwave, to the sound of the apocalypse, or just a plain dream version of that very same clock?"

He was always good at making sense out of everything. He was the level headed brother, the one that thought first and then acted, the opposite of Damon. Elena valued him for that. She was just about to say something to him, when she noticed Bonnie through the window to the hallway.

"Bonnie?" she said out loud, alerting Stefan to her presence. "Did you tell her what happened?" she then addressed him, "Is that why she's here?"

Her best friend looked very distraught. And while Elena knew that she and Damon were close, she seemed a bit too distraught for it to be about Damon alone.

"No, I didn't…" Stefan looked worried.

"Elena?" Bonnie poked her head in from outside. "What the hell is Damon doing here?"

"He's… he had a heart attack." Elena, who had gotten up to hug her friend, waited for Bonnie's obvious shock at the news to subside a little before explaining further.

The two were still holding each other's hands when Elena eventually asked the inevitable question, "But… why are you here if not for him?"

Bonnie had been crying, even before hearing about Damon. Elena had noticed her red rimmed eyes, and she was afraid to hear what might have happened.

"I am here with Enzo." Bonnie sounded so defeated that, for a second, Elena feared the worst.

"Oh Bonnie!"

"He's fine. Well. Not fine, but he'll live and… Elena, I think I may have caused all of this. First Enzo, now him." She pointed to Damon, who was still laying obliviously sleeping on the bed. "All of this is my fault. That… that blast, my magic; I think it is starting to destroy everything."

"Hold on. What?" Stefan's interest was piqued. "What happened with Enzo, Bonnie? And how could the blast have anything to do with Damon?"

"I.. I don't really know." Her voice was small, and shaking. "Enzo had a dream, too, another bad dream."

"Another?" Elena interrupted, but Bonnie merely grimaced at her.

"Yeah, another. This time, though, when he woke up… some of the things that had been done to him, they had been done to him in reality as well. There was a huge gash in his arm. - We were just in the ER for friggin' ever, and now they said they want to keep him overnight. Due to the blood loss and…"

"You're saying he had a dream right before this happened? Just like Damon?" Elena looked at her, then at Stefan, completely lost.

"Bonnie," Stefan whispered, "what the hell is going on?"

He came a little too close for comfort and Bonnie backed away.

"I told you I don't know. Stefan-"

Just then she bumped into someone appearing in the doorway behind her, and her eyes widened when she saw who it was.

"Enzo! But…"

He half raised his thickly bandaged arm, before he looked past her to Stefan, his chin raised, his whole stance that of someone protecting what he loved, of challenging whoever threatened that.

"Back off, Stefan. This is not her fault," he gritted out, acutely aware of Bonnie's touch against his body.

Stefan raised both hands in a show of surrender. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you, Bonnie. I was only-"

But Bonnie didn't even pay attention to him any more. Instead, she pointed an accusing finger at Enzo. "How are you here?" She sounded annoyed.

Enzo, and the other two with him, were slightly taken aback.

"How are you here and not in a hospital bed getting those IVs you're supposed to be getting?!" She sounded like an angry mom to her own ears now, and she took a deep breath and tried again. "I'm sorry babe, I'm just… they said they wanted to keep you here and now you're running around the hallway? You didn't go against medical advice, did you?"

Enzo's lips curled into a small smile. "You're worried about me, love… I'm fine, though. Yes, I did do the AMA thing, but it's really no big deal. They patched me up, I'm as good as new. - So, where were we?"

She wouldn't let him off the hook that quickly, though.

"I am worried," she said, "and I have every right to be! You almost bled out on our stupid couch and now here you are, not listening to anything the doctors said."

"Bonnie." Suddenly, he sounded very serious. Gently, he took her face in his hands and turned it toward his. His voice was no more than a whisper when he told her, "It was hard enough the last time, love, but I accepted that it was necessary then," he tapped his chest, barely healed, as if to remind her what he was talking about. "But I cannot stay here again, trusting doctors I have no inclination to trust. I can't. Besides, I'd rather spend my time with you - and I'm fine." He drew out the last word, his gaze on her intense.

Bonnie wasn't happy about his choice, but she couldn't be upset with him either. She understood. She wanted to tell him she'd stay right by his side, she'd watch over him, she'd not let anything happen to him. But she knew the problem lay elsewhere, so she simply mouthed an okay, then turned back to their friends, allowing him to see inside the room.

Enzo frowned in concern when he finally realized what the gathering was all about. "What's up with Damon?" He took a few steps toward the lying man. They were both at least equally ashen, so his concern seemed almost comical.

"We were just talking about the two of you," Stefan explained. "How you both had rather lifelike dreams. In your case," he pointed to Enzo's arm, "a torture wound appeared on your arm, in his," he nodded over to his brother, "he suffered a heart attack in his dream that transferred over to reality. And Bonnie here thinks that it all might have to do with her psychic blast that brought you back from the dead."

"Can somebody please tell me why you guys are standing over there and nobody is paying any attention to this poor suffering mortal over here?" Damon suddenly rasped out, interrupting them all, and suddenly everyone's focus shifted to him.

Elena was the first to rush over to him, and she was extra careful when she gently leaned in to kiss him.

"You scared me," she muttered.

He laid his arm around her as best as he could with all the stupid cords and monitors attached to him. "Aw, even my beloved brother is here. And Bon Bon. And… wow, Lorenzo, my man, you look like shit. No sugar coating that."

"I can return that compliment." Enzo faked a tip of the hat and they both grinned.

Damon noticed how relieved everyone seemed to be to see him up. He had to admit that he bathed a little bit in their obvious concern. But after a minute or two, he already had enough. They had filled him in on their latest 'findings,' and he exchanged a look with poor Bonnie. She seemed ready to start crying.

"Bonnie, you have an amazing talent of getting yourself stuck in a difficult situation," he said in an attempt to lighten the mood, but he should have chosen a different approach. She glared at him. Elena dug a finger into his shoulder. And Stefan did what he did best and looked all righteous and told his brother to shut up.

Damon rolled his eyes.

"Okay," he said, trying to sit up, "how do I get out of here the quickest?"

"Uh, Damon, you're not going anywhere," Stefan deadpanned, but his brother didn't give up so easily.

"Well, somebody's gonna have to sort this mess out before we all drop dead, and we all know that you guys don't have the stamina nor cunning to get it done without me." He smirked, but he was already getting ridiculously tired again so he didn't fool anyone. Stefan rolled his eyes at him, but his older brother suspected that it was only a show for his sake.

"Brother, you stay here and get your heart back in shape first. Let us deal with the rest and when you're better, you're welcome to join us."

But Damon didn't even hear the rest anymore as he had already fallen back asleep. Stupid human ailments...

...

Matt wasn't sure he'd heard the woman correctly. He had just gotten home from work, he was still in his uniform, because the doorbell had pretty much rung the minute he'd stepped foot in the old Lockwood mansion.

"Tyler, can you get that?" he'd called out but had noticed right away that his friend didn't answer. He was probably out again. He was always out lately, just like Vickie, leaving Matt to worry about them a little. But this?

"You're sure it's Vickie?" His voice came out hoarse and shaky. Deep furrows appeared on his forehead as he tried to make sense of this.

The woman - Officer Chenoweth? - nodded gravely. "I'm so sorry Sergeant Donovan. There's no mistaking it's her."

"But…" His brain didn't want to function. After everything? After everything she'd gone through - and he'd gone through - Vickie had drowned herself in Mystic Lake? Drowned?!

"I'd like to give you the note she left, Sir, but unfortunately, it's still in forensics. Just to make sure..."

"Is there any chance this was a crime, or or or, an accident?" He was fishing for straws here, he knew it, but he had to.

The police officer destroyed the last sliver of hope by shaking her head, "I'm so sorry."

Matt could only stand there. How cruel was this world that it had given him back his sister only to take her from him again? And how cruel had it been to her?

His heart broke for real in that moment and he wasn't sure he'd be able to pick up the pieces again.

...

Later, when Tyler finally got home, and it had been dark for hours, Matt Donovan was still in his uniform, sitting on the stairs to the first floor, where he had sat down as soon as the Officer had left him earlier.

"Can I call anyone for you?" She had asked, sympathetically, but he had shaken his head, assured her he was okay, and then…

"Matt?" Tyler had kneeled down in front of him - when did that happen? - a look of real worry on his features. "Matt, geez, come on, what's going on? What happened? Please, man, talk to me?"

"You're not going to kill yourself, Ty, are you?" Matt sounded so weary.

"What?! Matt… Is… did someone…?"

"It's Vickie," Matt choked out, and finally the tears came. "She's gone."

All Tyler could do was hold his friend as uncontrollable sobs started shaking Matt's body. There were no words.

...

Alaric was deep in a book on matters of the oversoul and multiple worlds and didn't notice it at first when someone else entered the Armory.

It was always so quiet in there, a good place for his studies. It didn't hurt that they had such a great library and an arsenal of exciting artifacts and weapons of unknown origins.

To him, the place was like a playground; a fairground for adult professors of history and the occult.

"Alaric?"

He visibly started as he heard her. Looking up from the book in his hands, he saw her standing there, in the middle of the big foyer, cradling her arms.

"Jo! I thought your shift has long started?"

"I called in sick."

He frowned at her, suddenly worried. In this moment, he was reminded that there was still love for her in him. He put the book away and came over to where she was standing, rooted to the spot.

"What's going on?"

She had cried, he could tell. Gently, he tapped her chin, encouraging her to look at him.

"Anything I can do?"

Without explanation, she rolled back her sleeves, and showed him her arms. He examined them, turning them around in his hands, then looked at her again, a little lost.

Her expression changed.

"You can see it, right?"

He shrugged, helpless.

"What am I looking at here, Jo?"

"I'm friggin' vanishing!" she yelled, very upset, "can't you see?!"

But he really couldn't. Her arms looked perfectly fine. He tightened his grip on her, suddenly incredibly worried.

"Jo…"

"Oh my gosh, you can't see it. I must be delusional. I'm losing my goddamn mind! I'm…" she started crying again, "why did I have to be brought back?!" She cried, agonized, and dug her fists into Ric's shirt. "I just want this to be over. Please, Alaric. I want this over… you and Caroline… take care of the girls. They don't need me here. They need a mother that is…"

"Jo, slow down. We will figure this out. It's alright. Maybe it's just the stress catching up with you. You've been through a lot, you…"

She smiled, anguished. "I don't think I was meant to come back…"

And with that, she abruptly let go of him and ran away.

"Jo!" Ric called out, setting out to follow her, but his reflexes only started working a minute too late. "Jo!"

She was already out the door, in her car. She started the engine just as he got to her. He was too late. Like so often in his life, he was a little too late.

And he had no idea what to do.

...

Caroline had busied herself in the kitchen, cleaning up while the girls painted their salt dough shapes. They had told her to make them an Elsa and an Anna, and Olaf was there, too. Though Caroline doubted anyone else would be as enthusiastic about the misshapen little things that barely even remotely resembled anything.

She smiled, allowing herself to just watch her girls for a little.

Earlier, Alaric had called, saying something about Jo and to let him know if she showed up. Apparently, she wasn't feeling quite herself. Admittedly, Caroline had been a little distracted when he'd called. She was still thinking about her encounter with Klaus. She had wanted to tell Alaric about it. Stefan, too. But Alaric had hung up too quickly and Stefan… hadn't answered any of her many calls and texts yet. She was worried.. Something was going on, and she had no clue what.

She didn't like that feeling. So making salt dough with the twins had felt like a good distraction for all of them. She was just about done putting the last bowl away, and the ingredients they had used earlier, when she heard Josie quietly ask her sister, "Do you think we'll see them again?"

Lizzie shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe."

"I liked the pretty one," Josie announced, her face beaming. "She must be a princess."

"She looks just like mommy's friend!" Lizzie said.

"But the other one was too scary…"

"Ya."

Caroline stopped what she was doing, concern flashing in her eyes. "What?" She went over to the table and sat down between the two, gently touching the crowns of their heads. "Who were you guys talking about? Who is scary?"

Both girls looked at her intently, suddenly shy. It was Lizzie who opened her mouth, whispering, "He said not to tell anyone…"

"Sweetie, you can always tell mommy or daddy, or mommy Jo about everything. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise."

"But…" Josie looked worried now, and Caroline gently took her hand in hers.

"Really, sweetie. We are all here to protect you."

"Not mommy Jo, though," Lizzie piped up, looking sad. "He told us she can't stay."

Now Caroline was truly alarmed. "Who is this guy?" She demanded to know, trying to keep her sudden anger in check. After all, she didn't want to scare her daughters.

"Arcadius," Josie hushed, and Lizzie added, "But he said we can call him Cade…"

Caroline's hand flew to her mouth. She felt like she was going to be sick. No… quickly, she scooped the girls up. Without so much as a proper explanation - "We're gonna surprise daddy at work!" was all she managed - they all ran out of the house and to her car. With shaking hands she started the car and revved the engine.

...

When they were finally home, they tumbled inside like drunken lovers. Bonnie was doing her best to help Enzo carry his own weight, before they both flopped down on the couch. He looked like death, pale and exhausted, his eyes hollow, his cheeks sunken. But he was still smiling.

"My apology, love. - Again," he added, "I'm starting to get annoyed with this arrangement where you have to constantly bust my ass out of danger and save me.

She wanted to tell him that he should have stayed at the hospital then, but she bit her lip and kept the thought to herself. She knew why he was so opposed to it. She couldn't blame him.

"I know what you're thinking," he muttered, as her head came to rest on his chest and he put his good arm around her.

"Oh ya?" She yawned. It had been a long day. A tough day. And she was so very tired. She snuggled up against him, careful not to touch his injuries.

"You wanted me to stay there…"

"I… I'm just worried about you, babe. You're not a vampire anymore. And I can't afford to lose you."

"You won't." He held her close, her breathing evened out.

"I just want you to be happy. And I wish I could somehow eradicate that past of yours. Stop the… pain. The memories." She looked up to him, saw him smile a pained smile at her.

"Bonnie. None of this is your fault. I hope you know that. I've lived with this a long time. I'm certainly not gonna give up now. Not when I finally found my love, my peace, with you."

She tried to smile, but her body wasn't cooperating anymore. "So tired…" she mumbled. She had wanted to stay up, to watch over him while he got some much needed rest. She had wanted to make sure he allowed himself to sleep without fearing something worse would happen.

And then she fell asleep on him.

He smiled. "I love you, Bonnie Bennett," he breathed into her hair, holding her close while she slept. "For once, let me take care of you…"

...

Thanks, guys, for the feedback. And thanks to those who are following and favoriting. :)

Anna, you were spot on about Vickie, and Shadowdancer, we will definitely be visiting Miranda soon, so there'll be more insight there.