Caroline sighed, looking at her laptop in her bed as Eve sat in front of Caroline's vanity as she put on some light makeup. Caroline sighed louder, making Eve turn around in her chair.

"How come you can go outside and I can't?" Caroline asked with a whine, looking at her curtain covered window longingly. Eve held up her right ring finger showing off the lapis lazuli ring she had on. "A tacky ring? My mom has tons." Caroline sassed, folding her arms. Eve snickered and shook her head.

"Not that easy, Care." Eve sassed back, turning and returning to finish her makeup.

"How am I supposed to live a normal life if I can't go out into the sun?" Caroline whined, shutting her laptop and leaning back in her bed. "My whole life is centered around being outside when the sun is out." Caroline complained. "What am I supposed to do about school? My mom's not going to let me just stay home forever." Caroline continued, putting her laptop to the side and getting off her bed. "And hunger? How am I-" Caroline tried but Eve shushed her for a moment, listening and hearing Liz hesitate to go up the stairs before turning and going back to the kitchen to grab something glass.

"Yer mom's comin' up in a second, so look busy while I finish my makeup please." Eve stated seriously, looking at Caroline in the mirror seriously. Caroline rolled her eyes, opening her laptop again and clicking around. Just as Eve heard, Liz knocked on the door hesitantly before entering the room.

"Morning." Liz said cheerfully, only sounding a little stressed. Eve looked at her in the mirror and saw her with two glasses of orange juice. "I know the doctors let you go last night…early, and without my consent, but I know you had some migraines due to the sun, so here's some orange juice." Liz said with a smile, handing a glass to Caroline before walking over to Eve and placing the glass down next to her, careful not to get in her way. Liz stood and looked at Eve with a smile. "Someone have a morning date?" Liz asked with a smile.

"It's not with Damon." Caroline chimed in, drinking some of her orange juice. Eve saw Caroline look slightly surprised; as if Caroline didn't expect orange juice to taste good after becoming a vampire. Eve snickered softly, looking back at Liz, who looked disappointed.

"Is it with Mason?" Liz asked, folding her arms. Eve let herself roll her eyes. Liz was such a mom. "I'm not judging or anything, but-"

"Yes you are." Caroline snorted from her bed, making Liz's disappointed look change towards Caroline. "He's cute, mom!" Caroline sassed back. "Just because he was a little bit of a trouble maker back in the day…" Caroline said with a shrug, putting her laptop to the side and scooting to the edge of her bed. "I know you have a little bet going on with your deputies about Eve and Damon, but let her have some fun." Caroline said exasperatedly. Eve raised an eyebrow back at Liz who sent Caroline a sharp look. Eve couldn't help but laugh as she saw Liz's cheeks turn a light pink.

"I'm not meddling, I just think Mason's not the best match is all." Liz sassed back, folding her arms, looking back at Eve crossly as she continued to chuckle.

"Oh come on, mom, Mason's a total hottie." Caroline said, smirking over at Eve who rolled her eyes and finally finished up her makeup and ran her fingers through her curly hair.

"I refuse to call Mason Lockwood a 'hottie'." Liz stated sternly with a shake of her head. "I'm just saying…" Liz said, looking back at Eve who let herself chuckle and roll her eyes.

"It's breakfast, Liz, not marriage." Eve shrugged back, turning to face Liz. Liz shook her head, raising her hands in defense, walking to the door.

"I'm not your mom, I'm just saying." Liz stated sternly. "Finish up your homework, but don't stay on that computer too long, Caroline." Liz said, turning towards Caroline before she left the room. "There's some more orange juice downstairs, but I've got to get to work." Liz explained, a softness in her voice as she looked over at Caroline. Caroline smiled and nodded. "If you need me, just call me, okay?" Liz said, looking at Caroline worriedly. Caroline nodded once more.

"I'll be fine, mom, I promise." Caroline said with a smile. "I've got good company…well, at least for the time being." Caroline said, looking over at Eve and shimmying her shoulders playfully. Eve laughed softly as Liz seemed to become less tense.

"Alright." Liz said defeatedly with a smile. "I love you, Caroline." Liz said with a small smile. Caroline smiled back at her, just as softly.

"I love you too, mom." Caroline said sweetly. Liz finally relaxed, if even just for a moment, as she closed the doors and walked back downstairs before leaving the house. Eve put a hand to her chest and smiled back at Caroline.

"Aw." Eve cooed affectionately, catching the pillow Caroline tried to toss at her. "Food doesn't just taste rotten now, as you figured out." Eve snarked, tossing the pillow back to Caroline, standing up and sipping on her own orange juice. "It doesn't do much compared to blood, but it's not bad." Eve shrugged, cringing at the ripeness of the orange juice. "Still doesn't taste good with toothpaste either." Eve grimaced, walking over and placing the glass next to Caroline's. "I think Stefan is talkin' with Bonnie about makin' you a ring so you can go out in the sun." Eve said, walking over and grabbing her boots by the bedroom door before walking over and sitting on the edge of Caroline's bed. Caroline let out an annoyed sigh, flopping back in her bed.

"I can't believe you're going on a date with Mason while I'm here, newly vampired and all." Caroline whined, nudging Eve with her foot. Eve rolled her eyes, making sure her boots went up over the skinny jeans.

"If you can't keep yerself busy fer an hour or two, you have an awfully long life ahead of you." Eve snarked back, lacing up her boots. Eve flinched as she could practically feel Caroline's mood sour at that. "Weren't you the one excited that I was goin' on a date with the hot surfer?" Eve sassed, standing up and grabbing her black coat.

"I was excited that you slept with him." Caroline corrected. Eve rolled her eyes back at her. "What? I can't be team both?" Caroline asked, sitting back up and folding her arms.

"No, you can't." Eve snarked back. "One or the other." Eve said, shaking her head, putting her coat on. Caroline rolled her eyes.

"I go back and forth all the time." Caroline shrugged. "It doesn't help now especially." Caroline muttered irritably. Eve sighed.

"Drink yer orange juice, Care." Eve said, nodding over at the orange juice on her bedside table. Caroline let out a huff, picking up her own glass and taking another sip as Eve left.

"Have a nice date." Caroline said aloud as the door closed. Eve snickered to herself.

"Stay safe." Eve said aloud softly, heading down the stairs.

"That is still so weird." Eve heard Caroline mutter in her room, knowing she had heard her. Eve laughed as she left the house. To a date with a supernatural creature with yellow eyes…without knowing what it was. Eve sighed.

Stefan had said he was going to talk with Bonnie while Elena, Damon and Alaric went to the university in search of answers in regards to what Mason was. Stefan wasn't thrilled about the whole Mason ordeal. Eve rolled her eyes at the memory of the previous night. Mason wasn't the only topic of conversation. A guilt rose, but Eve shoved it down. She and Damon were allowed to find their truths…

Stefan wasn't happy. The night had turned into such a mess. With Caroline getting turned into a vampire, Damon nearly killing her, and Eve having hooked up with that supernatural mystery man, Stefan was already tired. As Eve and Stefan dropped Caroline off at home, the two were now at an impasse. Eve had wanted to go inside with Caroline (which Caroline wanted too), but Stefan stopped her. He knew he needed to talk with her about the night, even if she didn't.

"Can we not make this lecture long, Stef, Caroline did just find out she was a vampire." Eve snarked in the passenger seat. Stefan rolled his eyes.

"You know we have to have this conversation." Stefan said with a sigh, rubbing his face with his hands. Eve rolled her eyes, slumping in her seat. Stefan nearly grumbled at the action. She didn't want to be treated like a child, and yet. "Especially after what we witnessed." Stefan continued, trying his best to keep himself from 'lecturing' her. Eve sighed.

"So I slept with him." Eve muttered, sitting up quickly and irritably. "I didn't realize that he was some sort of supernatural bein'." Eve snapped angrily. "Do you really think I would go out searchin' fer somethin' like that? That I would be so self-destructive?" Eve snapped, folding her arms tightly. Stefan let out a scoff.

"Actually I can, Eve, because I know you." Stefan snapped back. Eve let out a scoff. "Just because I didn't spend every waking moment for decades at a time doesn't mean I don't know you, Evelyn." Stefan stated sharply. Eve let out a scoff.

"I think it does, though." Eve muttered. "I'm not Damon…Despite what everyone thinks." Eve grumbled, turning away from him.

"I know you're not Damon, Eve, but I also know that you both have very self-destructive tendencies." Stefan said back a little less sharply. Eve rolled her eyes. "I don't think you realize how self-destructive you can be." Stefan said with a sigh, leaning back in his driver's side seat. Eve let out a small, annoyed puff of air through her nose. "You were going to leave back to Boston after the whole parade." Stefan recalled, looking back over to Eve, who avoided his gaze, looking guilty. "And do you know what I think you were going to do when you got there?" Stefan asked, turning a little towards Eve. Eve didn't say anything, simply glancing over at him, letting him continue. "I think you were going to find some sorry sap to compel, go find Alistair and send him a message that you were in Boston and ready to end it all, no matter what happened." Stefan explained his working theory. Eve's silence was a loud enough response. "You were going to leave everything that made you happy because you don't think you deserve to be happy." Stefan continued. Eve rolled her eyes. "I know you're not Damon, Eve, but there's a reason I know you so well, and it's because you both have the same attitudes in regards to your own happiness." Stefan said, folding his arms and looking at Eve. Eve let out a sigh, sitting up.

"It would just be easier, Stefan." Eve muttered softly. "If I just went off…well, it would have been easy. If I just compelled Caroline to forget me…" Eve sighed, looking out at Caroline's house with a sad expression. "Now she's a vampire and…I can't just…I can't just leave when she's still so new to it all." Eve shrugged, looking at Stefan with sad eyes

"I don't think you should go after that either." Stefan sighed softly. "Despite what you may think, Eve, I don't want you to go off and die in Boston." Stefan said, gently nudging Eve. Eve rolled her eyes, still looking far too sad for Stefan's liking. "And I know Caroline would never forgive you if you went off and died either." Stefan said, pulling the Caroline card. Stefan could practically see Eve's heart break at the idea. She had connected with Caroline so quickly and so strongly. Damon had even joked once to Stefan that Caroline had sired Eve. "I asked Elena to ask Alaric over tomorrow morning to see if he may know anything about Isobel's studies; maybe see if we can figure out what's going on with the Lockwood's." Stefan said, changing the topic back to Mason. Eve nodded, looking forward again.

"I know yer not happy with Mason…and him bein' some sort of supernatural…but maybe I can help." Eve shrugged, her guilt changing from Caroline to Mason. Stefan sighed. He knew she would think he was being judg-y, which he was, but he knew Eve would do whatever she wanted.

"If you can stay safe…" Stefan shrugged. Eve let out a sigh. "That still doesn't mean I like what you're doing." Stefan continued, not being able to help himself. Eve rolled her eyes. "I know I have no room to talk about relationships, seeing as I fell in love with a doppelganger that compelled me to be in love with her way back when and subsequently turned me into a vampire," Stefan began, making sure to get out all the things he knew Eve would poke fun of. Eve raised an eyebrow back at him, not saying anything. "And I know it may be stupid to still care about my stupid brother, but-"

"Stefan." Eve muttered in a warning tone, but Stefan shook his head.

"I'd rather you both be happy together than not happy at all." Stefan continued, ignoring the warning tone to drop the subject. Eve scoffed.

"Who said I'm unhappy?" Eve asked, looking back at Stefan with a raised eyebrow. Stefan rolled his eyes back at her.

"I'm not telling you what to do, but don't bullshit me and say you're happy with how little you and Damon have talked in the past week." Stefan snarked. Eve let out a scoff.

"Damon and I have had years, decades even, where we didn't talk." Eve muttered. Stefan let out his own scoff.

"And were those times when either of you were either A, captured or being tortured, B, running from something, or C, without your humanity?" Stefan sassed back. Eve glared back over at Stefan, but remained silent. "And even then, technically, you did talk when you both had your humanities off; hell, you thrived together then." Stefan continued to sass her. Eve clicked her tongue and rolled his eyes. "I'm not wrong." Stefan stated quickly, not being able to contain the laugh that left his mouth at how irritated Eve looked with how right he was with it all. "Remember, Eve, I know you." Stefan continued with a smile. Eve rolled her eyes once more before shoving Stefan's head. "Hey, watch the hero hair." Stefan muttered sarcastically, making sure his hair was okay. Eve finally snickered.

"Goodnight Stefan." Eve said, shaking her head with a small smile. "I've got a breakfast date with Mason. Keep me updated on the research and I'll keep you updated on anythin' I find." Eve said, getting out of the car, shutting the door and waving before Stefan could say anything else. Stefan watched as Eve walked up to the house and entered. Stefan had missed Eve being in the boarding house, mostly because Damon's mood had soured, but also because it was nice having a friend. Stefan began driving back to the boarding house, missing Lexi more than usual.

Stefan sat with Elena on the couch, watching Damon walk over to the door and let in Alaric.

"Thanks for coming, Ric." Damon said with a sarcastic enthusiasm. "Can I get you something to drink? Coffee, bourbon? Bourbon in your coffee?" Damon asked, escorting Alaric to the couch across from Stefan and Elena.

"Elena mentioned you needed my help." Alaric said, sitting on the couch.

"Yeah, we were hoping you could shed some light on the Lockwood family." Stefan explained as Elena sipped on her mug of coffee. Alaric looked from Damon to Stefan.

"Now, why would I know anything about the Lockwood's?" Alaric asked as Damon sat on the couch arm next to Stefan.

"Well, you wouldn't." Damon shrugged. "But your dead-not dead wife might." Damon corrected himself quickly. Alaric sent a glare towards Damon and Elena sat up a little.

"Isobel's research from when you guys were at Duke together." Elena explained, glancing over at Stefan for backup.

"You said that she spent years researching this town." Stefan said, quickly backing Elena up with where they wanted the conversation to go.

"Isobel's research here; Mystic Falls was rooted in folklores and legends…" Alaric explained with a sigh. "But at the time, I thought most of which was fiction." Alaric muttered, obviously still not over his wife's whole disappearance and plot twist of her being a vampire the whole time…because of Damon.

"Like that amazing vampire story." Damon mocked with a smile. Stefan sent him a glare, which he simply ignored and rolled his eyes back at Stefan.

"Besides vampires, what else?" Elena asked, quickly ignoring Damon's comment.

"The lycanthrope." Alaric said casually. Stefan looked over at Damon who's mood quickly changed from his playful self to more serious, looking back at Stefan.

"Wait…like werewolves?" Elena asked curiously, putting her mug on the coffee table in front of her.

"No way. Impossible." Damon stated, standing up from his spot. "Way too Lon Chaney." Damon said with a shake of his head.

"Is it?" Stefan asked, looking over at Damon.

"I've been on this planet 160 some odd years and I've never come across one." Damon stated, looking back at Stefan with a roll of his eyes. "If werewolves exist, where the hell are they?" Damon asked, sarcastically looking around. Elena rolled her eyes, glaring over at Damon. Stefan took her hand into his, making her look back at Stefan and smile.

"Why do you suspect the Lockwood's?" Alaric asked, looking back at Stefan, not expecting Damon to give a good answer.

"Because vervain didn't affect the mayor at Founders' Day, but the Gilbert device did." Damon answered, much to the irritation of Alaric. "And it affected his son, Tyler." Damon said, proud that he had pulled Alaric's attention back to him.

"And at the school carnival, Tyler's uncle Mason exhibited inhuman behavior when he fought with one of the carnival's workers." Stefan chimed in. "Eve and I both arm wrestled him, and he beat us both despite both of us trying." Stefan continued, ignoring how Damon perked up at even the mention of Eve. "It suggests it's some sort of supernatural entity." Stefan continued, trying to ignore how Damon's attention died as soon as the conversation left Eve. God, they were both so stupid and stubborn.

"We were hoping that Isobel's research could help us figure out what it is." Elena chimed in, squeezing Stefan's hand lightly. Alaric looked between the three

"Well, all of her things are still at Duke." Alaric shrugged, clearing his throat. "I mean, her office is still there…She's technically still missing." Alaric continued softly.

"So can we get access to it?" Damon asked, not even missing a beat. Stefan sent a sharp look his way, which only had him raise his eyebrow back at Stefan and roll his eyes. Damon looked back over at Alaric as he continued to remain silent, obviously thinking. Damon let out a sigh. "Ric, we need to know what we're dealing with." Damon stated, sitting back down. "If this wolfman thing is true, I've seen enough movies to know it's not good." Damon snarked. Stefan looked back over at him, feeling his chest become heavy. "It means Mason Lockwood is a real life Lon Chaney and that little Tyler punk may just very well be Lon Chaney junior, which means Bella Lugois, meaning me, is totally screwed." Damon muttered with a roll of his eyes. Stefan hadn't mentioned that Eve was with Mason, let alone that she was on a date with him. And now, it felt worse knowing that Damon was right. Except, he wasn't in the most danger - Eve was.

Eve sat patiently inside the café, waiting for Mason as she sipped on a coffee. The cashier had recognized her and looked very disappointed to not see Damon with her. Eve couldn't help but flinch when she asked about him. Luckily, the cashier didn't ingest vervain, so it was easy for Eve to compel her to forget about the Hallmark couple…

Eve saw Mason cross the street, nearly being hit by a car as he did a little job, waving at the car who honked at him before entering the café. Eve snickered, despite feeling nervous. Mason was some type of supernatural being…but he was still cute. Eve waved at Mason as he entered and he quickly walked over to her, leaning down and kissing her. Eve felt her cheeks burn at such a simple action before he went and got a coffee of his own before returning and sitting across from her. Eve looked him up and down, curious at his wet hair.

"Didn't think there were any waves out in dese parts." Eve snarked across her coffee. Mason raised an eyebrow before Eve nodded at his head. "Hair." Eve stated, drinking more of her coffee. Mason touched his still wet hair and gave a small, apologetic smile back.

"Sorry about that." Mason said, wiping his hand on his jeans. "I went for a run before our little date." Mason said casually, sipping his coffee. Eve raised an eyebrow back at him. "What can I say, I like exercise." Mason shrugged before looking at Eve mischievously over his coffee. "I would have much preferred a different kind of exercise, but I didn't have a pretty redhead in my bed this morning." Mason said, smirking into his coffee. Eve nearly choked on her own coffee, feeling her face burn instantly at his flirtatious words. Mason chuckled as Eve set her coffee down and cleared her throat.

"Well, someone ditched me last night after punchin' a carnie." Eve snarked back, folding her arms. Mason sucked in a breath.

"Touché." Mason muttered, setting his own coffee down. "Baby girl, I didn't…" Mason let out a small sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's a little hard to explain." Mason shrugged, crossing his arms. Eve raised an eyebrow back at him.

"I've got time." Eve said a little more sharply than she had intended. She had to remember that she was trying to get information, not cut the ties so quickly…Mason only nodded back at her.

"I'm not…I'm not some vampire, if that's what you're worried about." Mason muttered quietly, leaning on the table and talking quietly. "I know that you're in the secret council and all." Mason continued. Eve leaned forward as well…This was all top secret…Vampires and all… "And neither was my brother." Mason stated a little more irritably. "I know Carol was upset about…what happened." Mason said, sounding a little guilty…As if he could have stopped any of it. Eve felt a hint of guilt. She was lucky enough to not be out in public when all the vampires were rounded up (along with the Mayor) and burned in the old Gilbert building. "And I…I think I can trust you, since you were also affected by that noise…Since you had a voicemail with that noise on said voicemail." Mason explained quietly. Eve bit her tongue to keep herself from flinching. It was suspicious that she had the noise on her phone. She still hadn't deleted the voicemail either…

"You know I wasn't the one who started the noise, Mason." Eve stated sharply, remembering the short conversation they had the other night. They didn't have much to talk about, and even when they didn't start to talk about it in a more serious tone, Mason shut it down and changed his tone to flirty…and, one thing led to sleeping together.

"I know you didn't, baby girl." Mason said with a shake of his head, leaning back. "It's just…you know where the sound came from." Mason shrugged. "Shouldn't that mean the council should be held a little accountable?" Mason asked, looking up at Eve, obviously angry at the council. But this sudden hostility towards her was something new and not sexy.

"I'm not in charge of the council, Mason." Eve snapped, folding her arms. "All I know was that John Gilbert and yer brother made this plan to use some type of device to round up any vampires in the town and burn them all in the old Gilbert basement." Eve shrugged, not bothering to keep her voice down. There was only the cashier, her and Mason there. Mason cringed at how loud she was before sending her a glare. Eve bit her tongue. She didn't like being accused of anything, but she had to be careful…and she wasn't being careful at all. She was being petty and trying to get a rise out of Mason. "Didn't work out that well, seein' he got rounded up himself." Eve muttered irritably, feeling her heart flutter as Mason's jaw tightened. "So why in the world would I want to round up all the vampires if I knew that the noise would kill anyone who wasn't a vampire?" Eve continued venomously. Mason let out a puff of air from his nose before standing up and grabbing onto Eve's wrist. Eve flinched before she was pulled up from her seat and pulled out of the café. "What are you doin'?" Eve asked, trying to keep the same strong and irritated tone in her voice, despite her heart racing as he pulled her into the alley beside the café. Eve felt her heart beat rapidly in her chest. Mason was dangerous…and she was being mean to him. "Mason." Eve snarled as he finally stopped…out of view from any passerby… Mason didn't waste any time as he slammed her back into the brick wall, his hands wrapping in her hair roughly and his other hand pinning her hands above her head before he kissed her roughly.

"I'm way too wound up for your bratty mouth, baby girl." Mason muttered lowly, kissing and biting down Eve's neck.

"Yer the one who accused me of basically killin' yer brother." Eve snarked, hissing at how rough he was being. Mason only growled into her skin.

Eve was supposed to be getting information on what he was. Eve was supposed to be careful. And yet there she was. In an alleyway in Mystic Falls. With some supernatural being that she knew was dangerous with a grip tightly in her hair and an even tighter grip keeping her wrists above her head. Bruises were beginning to form from his biting. She could stop it at any time…But fuck did the physical attention feel blissful.

Damon grumbled impatiently waiting for Elena and Alaric to finish up their little 'goodbye fest'. They, being him, Elena and Alaric, were going to Duke university and find out what Isobel's research said about werewolves. Damon nearly scoffed at the idea, let alone the possibility that werewolves were real. Living so long and not running into a single werewolf? The statistics were stupidly impossible…But if what Stefan and Evie said was true, he had to make sure. And to make sure, he needed to get Isobel's information. And to get to Isobel's research, he needed Alaric, who hated him, but trusted Elena, who just so happened to be Isobel's biological mother. It also helped that Stefan and Eve were going to be busy with Caroline. Alaric finally came out and went to the driver's side, not even bothering to wave back at Damon. Damon frowned sarcastically back at him before looking over to see Stefan walking towards them and Elena chatting with Jenna. Damon rolled his eyes.

"I'm not getting any more knowledgeable of werewolves at this rate, Stef." Damon snarked as Stefan walked up and stood next to him, waiting for Elena now as well. Stefan rolled his eyes. "It's not like it's going to take a week to find things. We'll stop at her office, snoop through her things, and take what we want." Damon shrugged as Elena finally started walking towards them.

"I'm worried." Stefan muttered softly, watching Elena.

"You're always worried." Damon snarked back, wrapping an arm around his brother's shoulder. "I'll take good care of her." Damon said in a baby voice, looking at Elena and giving Stefan a noogie. Stefan let out an annoyed grumble, shoving Damon away from him. Damon snickered and got into the passenger's side.

"Call me if you need anything." Stefan said with a smile to Elena. Damon rolled his eyes as he buckled himself in.

She would have nagged him if he hadn't.

"Can you two be in love on someone else's time?" Damon snarked, ignoring the voice in his head. Elena rolled her eyes, glaring at Damon before pulling Stefan into a kiss. Damon rolled his eyes back, closing the passenger's door. At one point, he would have felt completely jealous of his brother for having Elena…But he wasn't…Damon glanced over at Alaric who was looking at Damon just as curiously. "What?" Damon asked as Elena got into the backseat. Alaric shook his head, starting the car. Damon rolled his eyes, looking back out the window before rolling it down. "You take care of Evie while I'm gone." Damon said seriously, wagging a finger at Stefan accusingly. Stefan rolled his own eyes back as Alaric began to slowly drive, apparently not wanting to fully stop Damon and Stefan's conversation.

"If you actually take care of Elena." Stefan stated, folding his arms. Damon rolled his eyes and blew a raspberry back at Stefan before rolling up his window.

"So! Now that we're all stuck together for the next three hours, why don't we have a nice long chat." Damon said with a smile, turning towards Alaric and looking back at Elena. Alaric let out a small scoff, glancing over at Damon.

"What, like the fact that we're going to go back to my ex-wife's old office and see remnants of when you hadn't killed her?" Alaric asked, glaring over at Damon. Damon rolled his eyes back at him.

"Still with this anger, Ric." Damon rolled his eyes, leaning back in his seat. "It's not a good look." Damon muttered.

"Aren't you two fighting?" Alaric muttered after a moment. Damon glanced back at Elena with a smirk.

"Nope!" Damon said, popping the 'p' and smirking at Alaric. "Her little brother hates me, but I mean, I get it." Damon shrugged. "I wasn't the one to kill her, but I did erase his memories of Vicki Donovan." Damon explained, noticing Elena flinch in the backseat. "So that makes me the worst person to him…" Damon muttered. "Even tried to come kill me last night!" Damon said with a chuckle, seeing both Elena and Alaric's attention snap over to him.

"When did he do that?" Elena asked, sitting on the edge of her seat. "And for what?" Damon waved his hand at her.

"Oh, it was so cute, Elena," Damon began with a smile. "He whittled his own little stake." Damon cooed. "He came to his senses before he even tried anything, but it was a good attempt." Damon smirked. Elena let out an annoyed huff, which Damon knew was code for 'get to the point'. Damon let out his own annoyed huff back at her. "Elena, he's wanted me dead since forever." Damon muttered, leaning back in his seat. Elena looked worried. Damon couldn't help but snicker. "He just came to talk. He wanted to know how to protect himself and you and Jenna from any nasty little vampires." Damon confessed.

It was true. Jeremy was at the boarding house, waiting for him with a whittled stake in his hands, but he seemed to forgive Damon for his previous meddlings in his life. He truly just wanted to know how to protect himself and his family from the more dangerous and deadly vampires that were out in the world. Jeremy mentioned not wanting to be like his uncle or his dad, as both hated vampires, but he felt too much like a hypocrite, seeing as he had been dating a vampire…Technically, he dated two…and both died.

"That's why he wanted to talk with me then." Alaric muttered, joining the conversation. Damon saw Elena shake her head quickly and adamantly.

"No, absolutely not." Elena stated sternly. "Jeremy doesn't need to know how to kill anything." Elena muttered back. Damon raised an eyebrow, looking over at Alaric. Without him even saying anything, Damon knew he didn't agree. Damon could be the scapegoat…Maybe Stefan was right. Maybe he did just like the pain he caused himself.

"I don't think Jeremy would like you making decisions for him again." Damon said, fully expecting Elena to get mad and yell at him. Instead, his playful snarking died due to the sad look that crossed Elena's face.

"I just…I don't want him to think he needs to do anything like…that." Elena muttered, finally sitting back in her seat. Damon and Alaric shared another look. Damon rolled his eyes, turning towards the window. Damon didn't want to admit that him and Alaric shared some of the same thoughts. They weren't exactly the same, but they were close enough to make him get irritated by the similarities he shared with a vampire hunter.

"It might not be a bad idea to have you both learn some kind of self defense, at the least." Alaric said in a very teacher-like tone. Damon raised an eyebrow back at him. "Especially if the Lockwood's are some type of supernatural creature…" Alaric continued, gently shrugging. "I'm just saying, it's not a bad idea to know how to defend yourself without any supernatural helpers." Alaric said, giving Damon the side eye. Damon glanced back at Elena and saw her looking defeated and understanding…

"Yeah, Elena, I'm tired of saving your sorry ass all the time." Damon snarked. It was getting too teacher-y in the car, and he was way too old to feel like a teenager. Elena shoved Damon's seat, making him bound forwards a little bit. Damon sent a glare back to her. "Listen here, young lady, don't make me come back there." Damon snarked, pointing a finger back at her, which she simply shoved away from her with a raised eyebrow. "I hate to say it, I really do, but I think Ric has a point." Damon heard Alaric let out a puff of air. "We should see if Isobel did any research on fancy tactical combat against supernatural beings." Damon said enthusiastically. "If she did, she did a shitty job when she met me." Damon snarked, watching Alaric flinch and Elena get uncomfortable. Damon only chuckled. "Should always go for the heart." Damon said, wagging his finger at both Alaric and Elena, who both looked very ready for the drive to be over. Damon could drive for hours with Evie without her getting annoyed…Damon shoved the thought aside, back to the farthest corner of his mind…that was slowly becoming his 'Evie' corner…

For a moment, Damon let himself think about her.

Stefan sat in the chair next to Caroline's bed as she inspected the ring that Bonnie had given her. Caroline's own day-walking ring. Even without her saying anything, Stefan knew she was looking over the ring quizzically, or rather judging the ring. Stefan's phone felt like it was going to burn a hole in his pocket. He hadn't heard from Elena or Eve. And both were a little concerning. Elena, due to her being with Damon, and as much as Damon had calmed down when it came to him being a shit-head, it was still a concern. And with Eve, she was with the person that was a supernatural being, yet not a vampire…And neither had bothered to text him any updates.

"So, I don't get to choose the ring I have to wear the rest of my life?" Caroline asked Bonnie, sounding a little annoyed. Bonnie rolled her eyes at the comment, only looking up at Caroline for a moment before looking back at the grimoire she had in her hands.

"Hey, if you don't want it…" Bonnie muttered back, sounding less than happy that she was doing the whole spell to begin with. But he and Bonnie had talked, and Stefan had gotten Bonnie to do the spell.

"No, no, she wants it." Stefan interrupted before either girl could bicker with the other. Caroline rolled her eyes, looking at the ring again.

"Now what?" Caroline asked.

"Now is the part where I explain the rules." Bonnie stated seriously. "The witch who spells the ring has the power to the-spell it, so if you ever do anything to hurt anyone-" Bonnie said before Caroline stopped her.

"I'm not gonna hurt anyone." Caroline stated back seriously.

"You're a vampire." Bonnie quickly responded. "That means the urge to kill is a part of who you are." Bonnie explained. "The minute you let it take over, I will stop you." Bonnie stated seriously, looking at Caroline. Stefan looked back to Caroline who stared at the ring a moment longer before looking up at Bonnie.

"Bonnie, you're supposed to be my friend." Caroline said back softly, looking at the ring before looking back up at Bonnie.

"I can't ignore what happened, okay?" Bonnie snapped. "If you want to be friends, then you have to prove that the Caroline that I remember isn't gone." Bonnie stated quickly and sternly. Caroline looked sad, but there was a hint of anger in her eyes. "Now put the ring on the bed." Bonnie stated, ignoring the irritated Caroline. Caroline put the ring on the bed and Bonnie walked over to the window.

"Do you really think I meant to kill that guy at the carnival?" Caroline snapped, pulling Bonnie's attention back to Caroline.

"Caroline." Stefan stated softly, but she waved him off.

"He's still dead. Now, do you want me to cast the spell or not?" Bonnie asked back coldly. Caroline only nodded, still looking upset. Stefan didn't envy her newly heightened emotions. He had been a rollercoaster when he first turned. Bonnie opened up the curtain a little, so that the sun hit the ring, but not Caroline. Caroline flinched, backing away from the sun quickly. Bonnie walked back over to the edge of the bed. Stefan could feel magic begin to happen, but it seemed weak. Then again, he didn't even remember getting his daylight ring, let alone seeing it happen. "All done." Bonnie stated after a moment, picking up and handing the ring back to Caroline. Caroline looked at the ring and back to Bonnie skeptically.

"So that's it?" Caroline asked, putting the ring on her left index finger. Bonnie scoffed. "I mean, nothing witchy happened." Caroline explained. "No flickering lights, no gust of wind…" Caroline continued and Stefan could just tell by the way her tone was changing that she didn't believe Bonnie's magic worked. "Have you ever done this before?" Caroline asked, cocking her head slightly. Stefan rolled his eyes, messing with his own ring.

"Caroline…" Stefan muttered, wanting to stop her while she was ahead.

"What?" Caroline snapped back at Stefan. "I just want to make sure it works!" Caroline muttered, irritated by the whole ordeal. Bonnie opened the curtain all the way and Caroline let out a scream. Stefan looked back at Bonnie, trying to give her a look to indicate her actions were mean, but Bonnie only shrugged.

"It worked." Bonnie muttered, a small smile slipping across her lips.

"What if it hadn't, Bonnie!" Caroline snapped angrily. Bonnie sighed.

"She's all yours." Bonnie muttered, walking out of Caroline's bedroom with Stefan left to clean up the petty aftermath. Caroline quickly changed her tone as she looked at her hand in the sun, smiling at it.

"I see yer not dead." Eve said, pulling both Stefan and Caroline's attention towards the door. Caroline hopped out of her bed excitedly, waving her finger at Eve.

"I see you're not dead, either." Stefan muttered back, standing up from his chair. Eve looked over at him guiltily.

"I was busy." Eve muttered, and even Stefan could see Caroline looking her over and smiling from her spot…and Caroline wasn't even facing him

"You find anything else about Mason?" Stefan asked, folding his arms accusingly back at her. Eve rolled her eyes.

"Aside from the fact that he leaves gnarly hickies!" Caroline exclaimed, pulling Eve's coat down her arm a little ways, revealing the dark purple bruises that lined her neck. "Oh my GOD!" Caroline snapped, pushing Eve back, making her stumble a little. "I've been locked away while you were getting FREAKY!" Caroline exclaimed. Stefan could see the bright red that was crossing Eve's cheeks from his spot. She was also avoiding eye contact as well. Stefan stood up himself and folded his arms. "I mean, I know you had a date and all, but like, it was a breakfast date!" Caroline explained logically, her hands going to her hips judgingly. Eve rolled her eyes again.

"Do you think that's smart?" Stefan finally chimed in, suddenly irritated with the joyful tone in Caroline's voice as she spoke. Irritated that Eve was seeing someone that wasn't Damon.

Stefan had meant what he told his older brother; Eve and Damon completed the other. Sure, they were both chaotic when they were together, but there was a reason they always gravitated towards each other. A yin yang sort of pair. They were similar, but ever so different in the ways they did things. Eve was a little more calm about certain situations, but wild and unpredictable, and Damon could be a handful most of the time, in other situations, he could be calm and deliberate.

"Actually, yes." Eve snarked back, taking her coat off and tossing it onto the bed. "Under the Lockwood's old estate in the cellar, Mason has a bunch of chains set up." Eve stated, sounding proud of herself. The pride in her tone quickly changed when Caroline let out a long 'ooooh'.

"Sorry Stefan, I know we're supposed to be super serious since we're vampires and all, but like," Caroline got out before excitedly gesturing towards Eve. "Let the girl live for once Stefan!" Caroline whined, grabbing Eve by the wrist and pulling her out of her room.

"Hey Caroline, we aren't finished!" Stefan snapped, following the two girls. Caroline rolled her eyes, already asking questions at a thousand words per minute. Eve looked back at Stefan, sneakily pointing to her phone while Caroline continued to speak rapidly. Stefan finally pulled out his phone. He had left it on silent. He was so stupid.

Elena: We made it! Wish u were here though :/

Stefan smiled fondly at Elena's message. He hadn't missed it by that long, luckily, but he still felt like an idiot. Stefan turned on the ringer on his phone before texting her back.

Stefan: Haven't killed Damon yet? Neither u or Ric?

Stefan sent the message with a small smile, walking down the stairs after the two girls. Caroline continued to jabber on as Eve sat down at the kitchen table.

"When you're done, can I have a minute?" Stefan asked politely. Eve nodded, but Caroline shushed him and shooed him out of her house. Stefan rolled his eyes before walking and leaving Caroline's house. Stefan looked back down at his phone.

Eve: I know you're going to be mad but…

Stefan looked and saw 3 bad pictures in the dark of a cellar with heavy chains and metal straps against the walls. Stefan cringed internally at the idea of Eve walking down into a cellar so willingly with someone she knew was a mystery supernatural thing. Not long ago, she was held captive and tortured in a cellar by vampires, let alone someone that could have been even more dangerous. Eve never learned from her past mistakes though…And if she did, it took decades.

Eve: He's stronger than he was at the carnival. Don't ask me how I know this. I'm headed over to Caroline's now. Mason seemed reluctant to meet again tonight…

Stefan, once again, cringed to himself. He missed the flustered-at-everything-sexual Eve. Stefan ignored the intrusive thoughts. Could the Lockwood's really be werewolves? Stefan was more likely to believe it than Damon was, which was why he wanted to go find out more on werewolves himself. Curiosity and the cat or whatever the saying was. Stefan looked at the door of Caroline's house before he walked over and got into this car.

Stefan: Bring Caroline out to the woods where I usually hunt in once ur done

Stefan knew it would be a little while before Caroline allowed Eve to speak more than a word at a time. Especially with the new heightened emotions.

Eve: Don't cause too many riots with the squirrels, they're bound have a revolution one of these days

Stefan shook his head. Yin to yang.

AN:
Howdy everyone! Back at it again with an UPDATE! Still not as long as I'd like them to be, but please be kind, I'm getting my shit together finally and it's great fun for me! Also! I'm going back and doing a revamp of the early chapters. I've grown a lot as a writer in the past...7 years since starting this whole thing. God, 7 years of writing. I praise people who can just crank out books every year...then again, my word count for this silly little fanfiction about dumb vampires pining after one another is actually more words than there is well over the "standard" word count for most books, and I'm still going so...whatever. I mean, the longest written work is a fanfiction so I guess fanfiction authors just built different.

And thank you to the lovely team steroline mom! I'm going to change up a few things, since it is a little hard for me to get back into writing with the accent, but there will still be certain words that I'll keep around! I'm just changing up the 't' words that were changed to 'd' words back to 't's for my own sake. There's still going to be a certain level of a written accent! Always appreciate and enjoy seeing you around!

But! Enjoy this chapter. Also, if you're trying to keep the timeline in mind of when things are (in regards to TVD's show timeline), don't, cause I tried for the longest time and I just feel like everything happens so quickly? Like, according to the wiki, Stefan and Elena met and 3 days later they were dating and in love? Basically, if there's a big jump, or if there's a genuine time jump (such as going back in the past / back from the past), I'll indicate it. So, it's like spring and not yet March. So it's kind of lining up with the show's timeline, but sorta not. Anyway. Love you all! Thanks for reading!