Disclaimer: Some of these scenes are directly from the show. I do not own them.

Chapter Three: New Ways

Buffy awoke the next day. She did her morning routine and changed into regular clothes. She grabbed her weapons and stuffed them in her bag. Buffy was still upset that Damon had killed someone last night. She sighed heavily and walked downstairs. People were whispering. Buffy walked up to one of the employees and asked,

"Hey, what's going on?"

"Oh they caught the animal that's responsible for all those attacks." The employee replied.

"Oh?" Buffy asked.

"Yeah, it was a mountain lion." The employee explained. "All's well in Mystic Falls again."

Buffy nodded and walked away. She rolled her eyes. Something was up. Buffy walked out of the bed and breakfast. She walked into town and sat at the town square. Buffy sat at a bench and observed. Everyone seemed excited about something. Some type of party. Buffy looked around and saw Stefan. She walked over to him and said,

"Hey," Buffy paused. "Why does everyone think that a mountain lion killed all those people?"

"Good morning to you too Buffy." Stefan said and sighed. "Damon covered his tracks. Apparently he is staying awhile."

"So he wants to stay." Buffy repeated. "Are you still trying to get rid of him?"

"Around him, people die." Stefan explained. "I won't have it here."

"Do you have a plan?" Buffy asked and Stefan nodded.

"Yes," Stefan said and looked around. He lowered his voice and said, "I have some vervain."

"What's vervain?" Buffy asked. "I've never heard of it before."

"It's a type of plant that can weaken vampires." Stefan explained. "If I get into his system then I can take him down."

"Why can't you take him down now?" Buffy asked.

"Because of the way I live." Stefan told her. "I'm weaker than him since I only feed on animals." He paused. "Here, follow me."

"Where are we going?" Buffy asked.

"My house." Stefan replied.

Stefan escorted Buffy to the Salvatore Boarding house. She walked inside and couldn't help but stare at all the beauty the house had to offer. It was decorated nicely. Buffy whirled around and asked,

"Wow, you live here?"

"Yes, it's my home." Stefan said and showed her the dungeon. He opened the door and showed her the vervain. "This is what weakens us."

"Why are you showing me?" Buffy asked.

"Because I need your help." Stefan said. "I can't control my brother. I need help before he kills someone else."

Buffy sighed and looked at the plant. "Very well. I'll help." She told him. "How do I use this?"

"As long as it's in you or on you, no vampire can compel you." Stefan explained.

"Compel?" Buffy repeated.

"We can compel people into doing what we want them to do." Stefan told her. "We can change memories, erase memories, and tell people what to do."

"I never knew vampires could do that." Buffy said.

"We can." Stefan said. "My powers won't work because I don't feed on humans."

Stefan took some of the vervain and gave it to Buffy. "Here, this will keep vampires from compelling you."

Buffy took the vervain and put it in her bag. "Thanks." She said, "So what's the plan?"

"I'm going to get him to ingest it somehow." Stefan paused. "I failed this morning, but I won't stop trying. Are you going to the Founder's Day party?"

"Is that what everyone is talking about?" Buffy asked.

Stefan nodded. "You should go."

"Well, I didn't bring anything for it." Buffy said. "I'll have to go shopping."

"It's tonight. Elena and I are going." Stefan said.

"I'll join you." Buffy said.

"Perfect. Be careful. Don't let Damon see the vervain." Stefan warned.

Buffy nodded. "I'll be going now. Thank you for the information."

Stefan showed her out the door. Buffy walked into town and went dress shopping. She found a nice dress and went back to the bed and breakfast. Buffy looked at the time and noticed it was time to get ready. The day went by fast. Buffy got into the dress and looked in the mirror. She was pleased with her outfit. She grabbed her purse and packed weapons in it.

Meanwhile, Stefan danced with Caroline. He got her a drink and put some vervain into her drink while she wasn't looking. Buffy arrived at the party and was greeted by Mayor Lockwood. She was invited in and they spoke for a moment. He welcomed her to the town. Buffy liked Mystic Falls so far. The people there were very nice. The only thing she didn't like was that there were vampires in this town too.

She walked around until she spotted Damon speaking with a girl. Buffy watched him carefully. Damon and the girl walked over to Stefan and Caroline. Stefan offered Damon a drink, but he turned it down. Buffy walked over to the group and said,

"Hello," Buffy paused and looked at the girl that Damon spoke with earlier. "I don't think we officially met. I'm Buffy." Buffy held out her hand.

"Hi, I'm Elena." The girl replied and shook Buffy's hand. "Nice to meet you."

"You too." Buffy said.

"Stefan, do you have another dance in you?" Elena asked.

"Absolutely." Stefan said and took Elena's hand.

Damon looked at Buffy. "What are you still doing here?" He snapped.

"I'm here to party." Buffy lied.

Damon grabbed Caroline and said, "Come on let's go."

He walked away and went upstairs. Buffy wondered what he was up to, but didn't want to look too suspicious. Buffy grabbed a drink and pretended to enjoy the party. She was really there to keep an eye on Damon. After Elena and Stefan were done dancing, Stefan walked over to Buffy.

"I think we need to have some form of communication." Stefan suggested. "Let me see your cell phone please." Buffy nodded and handed him her phone. He put his number in and handed it back. "There you go."

"Thanks, how is the plan?" Buffy whispered.

"Work in progress." Stefan said and sighed heavily.

"What's wrong?" Buffy asked.

"Damon talked to Elena and now she's upset with me." Stefan said truthfully.

"Anything I can do to help?" Buffy asked and Stefan shook his head.

"Not right now."

Meanwhile, Elena and Caroline were in the bathroom, arguing. Elena saw the bite marks all over Caroline's body. She was enraged with Damon. She walked over to him and warned him to stay away from Caroline. Then she walked over to Stefan and said,

"I'm sorry. I take it all back." Elena paused. "You're completely right about Damon."

"Well, what did he do?" Stefan asked.

"There are bruises all over Caroline's body." Elena explained. "Bite marks and he has her all confused and messed up in the head." Stefan nodded. "You don't look surprised."

"I'm handling it." Stefan said. "Elena, excuse me, but I have to go."

Damon and Caroline argued. "I'm sorry, she took it off and I got flustered!" Caroline told him.

"You make me crazy, you know that?" Damon asked.

Buffy followed Damon and Caroline. She kept an eye on him. She was waiting for her moment. Stefan followed Buffy and told her to lay low. He had a plan. Damon bit into Caroline's neck and then he fell to the ground. Buffy ran over to help. Damon gasped as the vervain stung his throat.

"I knew I couldn't spike your drink so I spiked hers." Stefan said as he walked over to his brother.

Buffy and Stefan took Damon out of the party. Damon dropped his crystal. Stefan and Buffy dropped Damon into the dungeon with vervain. Stefan locked the door.

Yes Damon, deadly beast captured. All is well in Mystic Falls.

Author's Notes: This was a hard chapter. Short but to the point. I'm correcting things as I go. I'll add in more too so please be patient!