Stefan shoots up in his bed breathing heavy after having a nightmare about Damon killing Elena.
"Bad dream? Do you know how easy it was to get into your head just now? You really need some human blood. It might even the playing field. Football reference. Too soon?" Damon asks.
Stefan runs across the room, grabs a knife, and throws it at his brother.
Damon doesn't even flinch.
"Alright, I deserved that. But I just wanted to let you know, they caught the culprit. The animal responsible for killing coach tanner and all those people."
"What are you talking about?" Stefan asks confused.
"It was a mountain lion. Really big one. It attacked a hunter this morning. It's all over the news "Deadly beast captured. All's well in Mystic Falls." Damon finishes mockingly.
Stefan stare blankly at his brother.
"Look, I'm sorry. See, I'm covering my tracks like a good little vampire. You proud?" Damon asks still being a dick.
"El's gonna be mad. She told you "no killing." Stefan says smugly.
"Somthing tells me she'll understand." Damon says with a smirk remembering that night while walking over to a confused Stefan.
Damon stabs his brother in the stomach and Stefan falls to his knees with a grunt.
"This is John Varvatos, dude. Dick move." Damon walks out the door.
"Scum ball. Scum bucket." Jenna yells at Logan Fell through the TV.
"Ooh, who are we insulting?" Elena asks looking around getting excited.
"Him." Jenna says politely towards the TV.
"Right, Logan Fell. You know he used to babysit Care Bear?" Elena says.
"Makes sense. Founding families like to stick together."
"Ah yes, keep it in the founding family." Elena jokes.
Jenna giggles and asks
"What are you doing with that?" She gestures to the box Elena's going through.
"Mom told Mrs. Lookwood she would loan these to the founders council for their heritage display."
Jeremy walks into the room and Elena continues.
"But they only want this stuff for this." Elena holds up the pocket watch.
"Is that dad's watch?" Jeremy asks.
"Yes, it's actually magic, courtesy of Bonnie's ancestor. The compass points to vampires. The council rightfully suspects a vampire's been killing people."
"What are you gonna do with it?" Jenna asks.
"For now, store it in my storage unit. But when this all blows over I'm gonna give it to Rem. It's his, as he is the first born male." Jeremy sends a grateful smile to Elena.
The doorbell rings and on the way to the door Elena kisses her brothers cheek while jenna looks on with a smile.
Elena opens the door and Stefan greets her.
"Hi." Elena smiles and grabs his hand dragging him upstairs.
"Hi." Elena says after laying next to him on her bed.
"So, do you look as great in a suit as I remember?" Elena asks as he laughs.
"Depends. How did I look when you saw me?" Stefan fake flirts with her and she laughs and shoves his shoulder.
"Fantastic, of course. Will you be my escort to the Founder's Party?"
"They still do that?" Stefan asks.
"Yep, it's been a while for you, hasn't it? So, you coming?"
"I'd be honored to accompany you, Miss Gilbert."
"Nerd. Let's hope Damon has the same response." Elena says cheekily.
"What are you doing?" Stefan asks suspiciously.
"It's important, handsome. Don't judge."
When Stefan just raises an eyebrow she huffs and continues.
"Look, he's gonna be there anyway at least this way he won't have to compel some poor blonde blood bag." Elena says.
"Do we have to?" Stefan whines as she laughs.
"Yes we have to. Isn't this your life mission, Saint Stefan? Save all the innocents to compensate for the guilt." Elena teases.
"Ugh, fine." Stefan groans and rolls over on her while she giggles.
Elena is sitting upside down on the couch with her feet up in the air, while she dials a number on her phone.
"You've reached Damon Salvatore." Damon answers and Elena rolls her eyes at his flirty tone.
"Hey, Ocean Eyes."
"Ellie? How'd you get this number?" Damon asks confused.
"I got it off your phone. Duh." Elena responds.
"When did you have my phone?" Damon asks sound more annoyed than angry.
"I swiped it off you at the dinner thing." Elena says like its obvious
"You swiped it off me? What are you a pickpocket or something?" Damon mocks.
"Yes."
"What?" Damon asks stunned
"Yes. I'm a pickpocket."
"What? How? When?" Damon rushes out questions.
"We been though this, Dames. I'm mysterious and awesome. Stop asking so many questions. Just go with it."
"Fine. Why is it that you called?"
"Do you want to be my date for the Founder's Party?"
"I'm sorry. I don't think I heard you correctly. Because, I'm pretty sure I heard you asking my to be your date." Damon says.
"I would tell you not be a dick, but that's like asking Stefan not to brood. I told you I would help you. This is me helping. Are you gonna come or not?" Elena starts getting annoyed.
"Yes. I would be honored." Damon replies sincerely.
"Ha, that's exactly what Stefan said."
"Wait, what?"
"Oh, that's right. I didn't tell you. Me, you, and Stefan. We're gonna three-way this bitch. Thanks. Bye." Elena hangs up as she hears him call her name.
Stefan is polishing his shoes when Damon walks into his room.
"Do they still wear ties at this thing?"
"It's not like you ever actually were ties." Stefan rolls his eyes.
"Why do you even want to go? Me and El could get the talisman for you." Stefan tries to convince his brother to stay home.
"I don't know. I think it's only fitting. We were at the very first one, remember?"
"I think it's best we don't draw attention to ourselves. The council knows it's a vampire that's been killing people. What, suddenly two brothers with the same name as their ancestors show up?" Stefan says.
"So, you should stay here. I'll see to it Ellie has a good time." Damon tells him.
"I don't even know why El wants us both to go with her." Stefan mutters.
"I like it. At least she's honest about wanting us both." Damon taunts and Stefan shakes his head.
"Don't worry, Stefan. I got katherine and I don't think Ellie's into you." Damon says.
"You sure about that?" Stefan asks.
"Yeah I'm pretty sure, I mean if she was into you she wouldn't have invited me too." Damon says like its obvious and Stefan rolls his eyes.
"No. That you have Katherine. Do you think El's lying or something?" Stefan asks.
"Ellie's lovey, but I'm not putting all my eggs in one crazy ass basket." Damon says pouring two drinks.
Stefan picks one up and they have a drink together without realizing it.
Elena walks down the stairs to two awaiting Salvatores.
"Tell me how good I look." Elena says with a twirl when she reaches the bottom.
"You look breathtaking, El." Stefan says when he gains the ability to speak again.
"For once, I agree with my brother." Damon tells her.
"Okay, even though I hate rules, I do have one for tonight." Elena tells them.
"As amazing as I look, neither of you are allowed to fall in love with me." Elena says with a smirk.
"That's a little vain, Ellie." Damon looks at her mock shamefully shaking his head.
"Of course I'm vain, I'm a doppelganger. We're notoriously hot." Elena says.
"Wow, look at you Stefan. Yep, just as delicious as I remember." Elena flirts while Stefan smiles and looks down.
"Ugh, that's over. Let's go." Damon groans and holds out his arm.
Standing with a Salvatore on each arm Elena greets Mrs. Lockwood.
"Good evening Mrs. Lockwood. Everything looks great, my mom would be proud." Elena says making Carol light up.
"Thank you so much, Elena. Who are these handsome gentlemen." Carol ask eyeing Damon hungrily.
"Oh my apologies, this is Stefan and Damon Salvatore, my dates."
Carol sighs
"Of course they are, Elena." She says with a shake of the head
"Come on in."
"Thank you, Mrs. Lockwood. It's a pleasure to meet you." Damon flirts while Stefan waves a little.
"Oh, you can call me Carol." She blushes.
"And Carol, I'm so sorry about the watch. I checked and couldn't find it anywhere." Elena lies effortlessly.
"That's okay, sweetie. Have fun, Elena." Carol says walking away.
Elena drags the boys through the party looking for her friends.
As they walk up, Caroline hands them all a glass of champagne and says
"Ellie and the Salvatore brother. What, Is this a threesome now?" Caroline teases while the group of friends laugh.
Elena looks then both over and says.
"Now, there's an idea." Stefan chokes on his champagne while Damon smirks.
"The council's gonna meet tonight right?" Matt asks lowering his voice.
"Yep, they want the Gilbert watch. Too bad I'm not gonna give it to them." Elena laughs
"The council is really bad at cover stories. What kind of mountain lion would get so close to a football field full of cheering people? They couldn't come up with something more creative?" Jeremy says as they nod in agreement.
"I know right." Bonnie laughs.
"You really did is a solid there, Damon. Tanner was a dick, may he rest in peace." Tyler raises his champagne in fake cheers while they all nod and thank him.
"Wait, you guys know I killed the coach?" Damon asks looking around.
"No, it was Saint Stefan. Of course, we know. El always warns us of we could be in danger." Jermey says.
"And you're cool with it?" Damon asks confused.
"We don't condone senseless killing, but El has kinda been preparing us for the last 10 years." Caroline says and they all nod.
"Now that I'm thinking about it, it's possible Ellie has made us all more apathetic." Vicki says and they shrug.
"You're a weird bunch." Damon states as they all laugh.
"Come on." Elena pulls the brothers to the heritage display.
Elena is looking at her parents wedding rings when Stefan asks.
"Your parents?" She nods.
"Yeah, the only thing I would enjoy about marriage, the jewelry." Elena tries to joke.
Stefan laughs a little and grabs her hand for comfort, she smiles and puts her head in his shoulder while walking over to Damon.
"The founding families of Mystic Falls welcomes you to the inaugural Founder's Council Celebration." Elena reads while looking at the registry.
"Jesus. Sometimes I forgot how ancient you guys are." She says looking them over.
"And yet, I still look this good." Damon says smugly.
"Mmm, yes you do. Anyways, Stef come dance with me." Elena says.
"Oh, I don't really dance." Stefan backs away from her.
"No. Old, broody Stefan didn't dance. New, playful and more carefree Stefan does." Elena says while pulling him to the dance floor.
They swaying to the music when Elena says
"See, is this so bad?"
"No, it's not so bad." Stefan says then spins her as she laughs.
Damon is watching from the other side of the room and smiles a little at his brothers carefree attitude.
Elena sees Damon slip upstairs and when the song ends she follows him up.
"There you are. Stand here and tell me if anyone comes." Damon places her in front of the door.
"Yes Ocean Eyes, I'm well aware of the many responsibilities of a look out." Elena says sarcastically.
Damon grabs a box and opens a secret compartment.
"It's not here." Damon says angrily.
"I know. I've had it for years." Elena says with a smirk.
"If you have it, why did you make us come tonight?" Damon says turning his anger in her.
"I wanted to dance." Elena defends with a shrug.
"I also thought it would be good for you and Stef to, you know, bond or whatever." Elena mumbles embarrassed.
"So, you parent trapped us." Damon smiles when she snorts.
"Oh, my god Damon, you are my actual soul mate. This plan is officially titled in my binder as "operation parent trap" Elena says through a laugh.
"Come on, let's go dance." Damon says grabbing her hand and shaking his head when she squeals.
When they get downstairs Elena runs towards the sound booth and plugs in her iPod. When "Come on Eileen" starts playing, Elena drags Jeremy, Caroline, Bonnie, Vicki, Tyler, Matt, and the Salvatores out to the dance floor.
Elena, Jeremy, and Tyler start spinning around together while the others clap to the beat around them.
Stefan starts laughing as Elena runs up to him, grabs his hand, and twirls him. When she stops she pulls him over to Damon who's smiling fondly at her.
Stefan doesn't remember having this much fun with Damon since they were human and looking down at the beautiful girl singing and dancing terribly to the music he knows it's all because of her.
Later, as "Uptown Girl" ends Elena stops dancing and pull Stefan and Damon with her to the Kitchen.
"That was so much fun!" Elena yells still high off the music.
"Yeah, it was." Stefan nods his head looking at her.
"It was, Ellie. But now that we danced are you gonna give my the crystal?" Damon asks as Elena puts a hand on her heart dramatically.
"Was none it real." Elena whispers.
"I might of enjoyed myself a little." Damon plays along.
"Well there's no reason for this night to end." Elena says as they look at her suspiciously.
"Oh, come on. Live a little." She says and they nod.
"This is where you wanted to come?" Damon asks incredulous looking at the 50's style dinner.
"Yes, Ocean Eyes. They have the best milkshakes in the world. And Kitty, the waitress who works this shift always give me a free basket of fries." Elena says getting out of the car.
"We drove another town over for milkshakes and french fries?" Stefan asks.
"Free french fries, Stef. When we're in there call me Betty. And come up with your own fake names." She tells them.
"What? Why?" Damon asks.
"Just do it." Elena walks into the dinner and an older waitress greets her.
"Hey Betty. Look at you. You look stunning." Shes says sweetly.
"Thank you, Kitty. We'll take three shakes, one vanilla, one chocolate, and one peanut butter. Extra whipped cream." Elena says sitting down in her favorite booth.
"Comin' right up, doll." Kitty says walking to the kitchen.
Walking up to Elena's booth Kitty sets down the fries and shakes.
"Yes! Thank you so much!" Elena bouncing in her seat while dipping fries in the vanilla shake.
"Of course, doll. Are you gonna introduce me to your friends?" Kitty raise a brow while Elena covers her mouth and ducks her head.
"Sorry. Guys this is Kitty and Kitty this is," Elena gestures to Damon.
"I'm Derek, it's nice to meet you Kitty." Damon all but purrs.
"And this is," Elena gestures to Stefan.
"Uh, Steven. I'm Steven." Stefan says while Elena smiles at him playing along, terribly.
"Well it's very nice to meet you boys. You know, Betty's never brought anyone here before. You must be special." Kitty says to them as they smile at Elena.
"Very." Elena tells her simply.
"What's got you all dressed up with two handsome men on your arms?" Kitty asks.
"We just came from a town function, thought we cap off the night here." Elena says.
"Awe, Betty all your adventures that top off here, make me wish I was young again." Kitty says no doubt reminiscing about her youth.
"Whatever, don't let her fool you. She's lived more than all of us combined. You know she's been married four times?" Elena tells the brother rolling her eyes at the waitress.
"That's just the legal times." Kitty adds
"See! And she doesn't even have to work here. Her last husband died under mysterious circumstances and left her millions. She's totally loaded. She only works here cause she's bored." Elena's says at Kitty shakes her head.
"Hon, you've got to stop saying that. It wasn't mysterious, he had a heart attack." She tells them.
"Mm-hmm, sure he did." Elena says unconvinced.
"What are all the places you've lived? London? Paris? Rome? Venice? And didn't you live in Barcelona for a bit?" Elena asks.
"That's just Europe, doll." Kitty says with a laugh walking away
"That, my lovelies is why we drove another town over." Elena says look towards Kitty.
"The waitress?" Damon asks.
"Mhm, she's who I wanna be when I grow up. She's lived! I wanna do that. See the world while taking lovers in every port. That's the dream." Elena states while the boys laugh.
"So turn. You'll have forever to see the whole world and compulsion to do it for free." Damon states simply.
"Maybe one day, I got things to do that require a human doppelganger." Elena shrugs.
"Wait, you'd be willing to turn?" Stefan asks shocked.
"Of course, I think I would like being a vampire. As a human, I already understand the secret to control." Elena says.
"Well, are you gonna share with the class?" Damon asks pretending not care.
"Revel in it. The bloodlust. The hunt. You're at the top of the food chain. It's a vampire's nature. A few people might die. It's sad, but that's part of being mortal." Elena says stunning Stefan.
"What are you saying? You really don't care what happens to innocent people?" Stefan asks more curious than judgemental.
"I'm inherently apathetic, Stefan. Everything I've seen, it's very hard to care about random people when I'm already worrying about the people I love. So if someone I don't know, however innocent they may be, needs to die for my friends to live, I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger." Elena says seriously.
"I never claimed to selfless, Stefan. That's probably the main difference between me and OG Elena, she was selfless to a fault, and it got everyone she cared about hurt. I won't let that happen. The people I love, are gonna live the very best lives possible. Because I'm gonna make it happen." Elena states getting up.
"Now. Try the peanut butter shake, I've gotta pee." Elena goes to restroom while Kitty walks to their booth.
"You know, for the past few months she's seemed a little sadder the normal. This is the first time I've seen El happy in while." She tells them.
"Wait, you know her real name?" Stefan asks.
"Who do think taught her to use a fake one?" She asks in a sassy tone.
"What I'm trying to say, she's seem happier and I'm assuming it's because of you two. Don't hurt her. The world's not as bright when that girl stops smiling." Kitty says and walks away.
"You guys ready to go?" Elena ask when she gets back to the booth.
"Yeah, come on." Damon grabs her hand throwing down a 50 while Stefan slurps the last of the peanut butter milkshake.
"You were right. These are the best milkshakes in the world!" Stefan exclaims chasing after them to the car.
Ch 20
Elena walks downstairs for breakfast after getting ready for the day and bumps into her beautiful aunt Jenna.
"Good morning, Jen. What's on the "aJenda" for today?" Elena asks her aunt who just raises an unamused brow.
"Get it? Like Jen and gen."
"Yes, I got it. I'm not laughing cause that was terrible." Elena shrugs as Jenna continues
"Tonight I'm going out with Logan and before you say it, it's not a date. I'm just going to torture him." Jenna says.
"Do whatever you want, just please be careful. From what I remember, he convinces you to invite him in and he searches Rem's things for the watch." Elena tells her.
"Ugh, that little weasel. I'm really gonna screw with him now." Jenna murmurs.
After making breakfast, Elena takes a plate of food and a cup of coffee up to her brother's room.
Knock. Knock. Elena bangs on his door with her foot calling his name.
"Rem, open up. I made breakfast. And by made, I mean I pulled the pop tarts out of the toaster."
"Hey, thanks. Come in." Jeremy says after opening the door and stepping aside.
"I just wanted to bring you breakfast and tell you I'm heading over to the boarding house." Elena says standing in the doorway.
"Right, today's "Liberate Lorenzo st. John" day. Please be careful, Ellie. If something goes wrong let the Salvatores handle it. Please." Jeremy begs.
"Nothing's gonna go wrong, but if it does I promise I'll let Stefan or Damon handle it." Elena tells her brother before leaving him to his meal.
Elena walks into the boarding house like she owns the place.
"Yoo-hoo, Salvatores!" Elena calls as she stands in the parlor.
"Hey, El. What are you doing here?" Stefan greets with a hug while Damon walks down the stairs.
"Well, Handsome. Today is the day we're gonna rescue your big brother's best friend." Elena is barely able to get out as Damon runs over pulling her into a hug and spinning her.
"Yes! Finally! What are we gonna do? What do we need?" Damon rushes out question setting her down while Stefan smiles at his enthusiasm.
"You, my blue eyed friend, need to go grab some blood bags from downstairs while me and Stef go pack a bag of clothes for Enzo." Elena says and Damom vamp speeds away.
"He seems excited." Elena deadpans and Stefan laughs pulling her up the stairs to his room.
Outside the building that holds the microbiology lab Elena and the Salvatore brothers are sitting in her SUV, going over the plan... again.
"I thought you told your friends we going to come with you to the meeting to get an invitation in." Damon asks.
"No. I told them I'm gonna meet with him and that you guys are gonna get an invite. I never said at the same time. I don't want them to worry. Look, I know you just want to help Enzo, but I've been over the plan countess times. This is gonna work." Elena tells him sternly.
"And if it doesn't?" Damon asks.
"Then we kill everyone, then save him. Happy? This is just the plan that has the least questions. Now, I'm gonna go meet with the good doctor and you guys grab these supplies from the bio lab." Elena says handing Stefan a list of things she needs.
"Okay. Let's do this." Elena says as they all step out of the car.
"Hello, Dr. Maxfield. Thank you so much for meeting with me." Elena says as Wes directs her to his office.
"Of course. Your father was a mentor to me. He'd be so proud that you want to join." Wes tells her honestly.
"That's why I'm considering this. My dad was my hero." Elena lies.
"I'd really like to learn more about what he did. Do you have any of his notes?"
"I believe I have some in my storage closet, I'll go grab them." Wes says standing up.
"That's great." Elena says as she looks on his desk at his day planner and sitting back down.
"Your father always hoped you'd become a doctor, but if you don't you could still become a member of Augustine." Wes says setting the box of her dads things down.
Elena pretends to skim through it when she notices something.
"Though I understand vampires are killers and my subject in particular has no humanity, his pleas to end his torture are starting to effect my work..." Elena reads out loud trailing off.
"Wait, what? These subjects, they know what's happening? They aren't unconscious?" Elena asks not having to pretend to be horrified.
"Well, yes. Normal sedatives don't works on vampires and vervain could disrupt the healing process. I know it's not ideal, but we have to make sacrifices for the greater good." Wes bullshits.
"And if it helps, the subjects are often murders." He offers.
"Thank you for meeting with me, Dr. Maxfield. I'll have to think about this." Elena says rushing out the office as Wes calls after her.
Back in her car Elena waits for the brothers, lost in her thoughts about her father.
"Hey, El." Stefan says opening the door making her jump a little.
"We got everything. Did you see his schedule?" Damon ask getting in the passenger seat.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. He's free tonight and tomorrow." Elena says distracted.
"You okay, Ellie?" Damon asks letting his worry show.
"I don't know. My dad was a much bigger dick than I thought." Elena says after taking a deep breath.
"So was ours. Good thing Stef killed him." Damon jokes making her smile and Stefan roll his eyes.
"You sure your okay?" Stefan ask leaning in between the driver and passenger seats.
"Yes. Thank you, baby." Elena says pinching his cheeks while Damon laughs.
Stefan huffs trying to hide a smile.
"Why am I in the back again?" Stefan asks crossing his arms.
"Because, Ellie drove and I'm older than you." Damon says smirking at his brother.
"Whatever." Stefan grumbles childishly.
"So, what do we do now?" Damon asks already bored after two minutes.
"First, we are gonna find the shadiest motel near us and compel a room. Then, we are gonna go get some food and snacks appropriate for a stake out." Elena says excited.
"Stake out? How long do you think he will be in class?" Damon asks.
"I don't know, but stake out sounds so much cooler than just wait for him to go to his car." Elena whines.
"I like it, El. It feels like we're spies." Stefan tells her smiling when she smiles brightly at him.
"Ugh, no one likes a kiss ass, Stefan." Damon says.
"Licorice?" Damon holds the package up to Elena after sitting in her SUV for a few hours, waiting for Dr. Maxfield.
"No and you're disgusting for eating those." Elena says slurping down her melted milkshake.
"I drink human blood, Ellie" Damon rolls his eyes.
"Whatever, I kinda like the taste of blood." Elena says while the brothers look at her like she's crazy.
"What? Its taste like rust. I don't have to explain myself to you." Elena says leaning back in her seat.
"Ughhh, how much longer are we gonna wait for this guy?" Damon complains like the child that he is.
"I don't know. He's probably grading papers or something nefarious. He's a mad scientist, Ocean Eyes. They're very unpredictable." Elena says trying stop him from going in the building and dragging the doctor out by his throat.
"Is that him?" Stefan asks leaning forward between the front seats.
"It is. Get down." Elena whisper shouts leaning under the steering wheel.
"He can't hear you." Damon says rolling his eyes and opening his door.
"Right. Come on." Elena says getting out of the car.
After walking towards Dr. Maxfield, Damon speeds infront of him and he makes a startled sound walking backwards bumping into Stefan.
"Hiya, Doc." Wes hears a feminine voice say before everything goes black.
Wes stirs awake with a groan to someone poking his face repeatedly and saying
"Wake up, wake up, wake up."
"Oh, finally!" A familiar voice says as his eyes try to focus.
"Elena?" Wes ask very confused trying to move his duck taped arms.
"Very observant, Doctor." Elena says mock encouragingly.
"What'd you do? Where are we? Who are they?" Wes asks looking around the motel room, eyes landing on the Salvatores.
"What does it look like? We nurse-napped you." Elena says amused.
"I'm a doctor." Wes says way too offended for the situation.
"I know, I just like alliteration. And these fine men, are my friends. But they aren't important Wesley, these are." Elena says kicking the box of medical supplies towards him.
"You see these? We borrowed them from your bio lab. Sorry for not asking first, that was inconsiderate of us." Elena says with a smirk rummaging through the box.
"Wh-what are you gonna do with those? Wes asks visibly freaking out.
"Oh, nothing. I'm just gonna drain you of all your vervain tainted blood and replace it. Then blue eyes over there is gonna compel you." Elela says pointing at Damon.
"Untie me! You're gonna kill me." Wes says struggling against the tape.
"Dude, I'm holding a needle. Calm down." Elena says to a horrified Wes.
"Stop! You don't need to compel me. I'll tell you anything." Wes says feeling faint from blood loss.
"Wes, I don't need you to tell me anything." Elena mocks in his whiney voice.
"I need you to do some stuff, only a mind controlled robot would do. But A for effort!" Elena says cheerfully.
"Why are you doing this, Elena. Your dad would be so disappointed in you." Wes tries to manipulate her.
"My dad liked to dissect and experiment on conscious people. Kidnapping and playing nurse seems pretty low tier in comparison." Elena responds.
"Vampires! He experimented on vampires and he saved a little girls life."
"I don't know who you think you're talking to, but let me be very clear, my dad is dead. He doesn't care what I'm doing. So you are gonna stop bringing him up, because honestly, the more you claim I'm disappointing him, the more I want to disappoint him." Elena says shutting him up.
"How do you even know how to do this?" Damon asks amused picking up a needle and accidentally sticking himself.
"My dad may have been a bigoted asshole, but he liked to bond with his children. The only way I would hang around him was if he let me play with his medical stuff. He taught me to find a vain. Hilariously ironic that I'm using that knowledge to destroy his work." Elena muses setting up blood bags.
"I'll be right outside." Stefan says backing out of the room uncomfortable with the smell of blood.
"You look familiar. Who are you." Wes says to Damon as Elena nods at Stefan.
"It doesn't matter who he is, all that matters is that he doesn't like you." Elena says walking closer to him.
"And neither do I." Elena snarls leaning into his neck as he screams.
Elena snort and start giggling uncontrollably.
"Jesus christ, you're such a weenie. I'm not vampire." Elena says still laughing.
"Why are doing this, Elena?" Wes asks again.
"This is not a Bond movie where I reveal my diabolical plans, right before you escape and stop me." Elena says annoyed.
"Wakey, wakey, Wesley." Elena says slapping his cheeks as he groans.
"What happened?" Wes says groggily.
"You passed out, may have taken too much blood. That's on me. I got distracted, there was a car chase on the news." Elena says excited.
Damon snorts and walks towards them.
"What is he doing?" Wes asks as Damon picks up a scalpel.
"Hot stuff over here, is gonna test your blood for vervain. You should thank me, he wanted to rip into your throat." Wes winces as Damon cuts into his wrist and brings it to his mouth.
"It's clean, let's get started." Damon says with a smirk.
Damon looks into his eyes and repeats what Elena tells him.
"Don't speak unless spoken to. Do you understand?"
"Yes." Wes says robotically.
"We are gonna leave, follow us. Avoid eye contact with anyone but Elena and myself. Do not tell anyone you are with us by force. Do not tell anyone your name even if they ask. Do not tell anyone Elena's name. Forget Elena is Dr. Gilbert's daughter. Do you understand?" Damon says still compelling him.
"Yes."
"Good, let's go." Damon grabs Elena's hand and pushes Wes infront of them.
One the way to the car Damon compels a housekeeper to clean the room and forget everything she sees.
Once the vampire brothers, doppelganger, and mind controlled doctor, get back to campus Damon turns to Wes and compels him again.
"Where does Augustine keep Lorenzo st. John?"
"The basement of the Whitmore House." Wes says robotically.
"How do you get into the lab?"
"There is a Electronic keypad." Wes tells him.
"What's the code?" Damon asks as they arrive at Whitmore House.
"074294" Wes says hoping that was the last question.
"Okay. Come on." Damon says as they get out of the car.
"He needs to invite you guys in." Elena says after taking Wes's keys out of her pocket.
"And ask him which keys we need." Damon nods and turns back to Wes.
"Tell her what keys we'll need to get into the house and basement." Elena interrupts him.
"And the keys to Enzo's cell."
"And the keys to the cell."
"The silver one is for the house, the darkest one is for the basement, and the cell key is hanging just outside the lab door."
"Good, now invite me and him in." Damon points to Stefan.
"Come in." Wes says after Elena unlocks the backdoor.
"Huh, nice. Certainly doesn't look like your torturing innocent people in the basement" Elena says looking around.
"Ellie, it's a college they're torturing innocent people everywhere." Damon says walking towards the basement as Elena low fives him.
"Alright Wesley, you've served your purpose. Ocean eyes, come here." Elena says turning to the doctor.
"Elena, you don't have to do this. You don't have to kill me, please. Just compel me to forget." Wes begs desperately.
"Compel him to forget this happened." Damon complys.
"Off you pop." Elena shoos him, as Wes runs like a bat out of hell.
"Why did you let him go?" Stefan asks.
" I didn't let him go, I just gave him a little head start." At the brothers confused faces Elena continues.
"Enzo has been locked up since the forties. I'm sure he would love a good hunt." Elena says with her signature devious smirk.
"Your a little psychopath. I love it." Damon says unlocking the basement door.
Elena just laughs and follows him down the basement steps.
When they get to the lab door Elena looks down at the key pad.
"Alright Damon, punch in the code."
"I don't know the code, I thought you were listening."
"I wasn't listening, you were the one compelling him, I thought you were listening." Elena says with wide eyes as Stefan bumps her away from the door.
"My god, how you two managed to make it this far into the plan, completely eludes me." He says punching in the code and opening the door.
"I've always had my type-A barbie. Caroline." Elena adds at their confused expressions
"Eh, I always figure it out." Damon says grabbing the keys, looking around for the cells.
They all stop infront of the middle cell staring at man lying on the floor.
"Back for more, doctor?" A tired voice asks in a delicious British accent.
"Can you blame him? I'd never get enough." Elena flirts, then smirks when his head snaps towards them.
"Damon?" Enzo asks in a heartbreaking tone that makes Elena want to give him a hug.
"Yeah, it's me. Listen, we don't have a lot of time. We need to-" Enzo cuts him off.
"You left me to die!" He screams using the past of his strength to bang against the cell bars.
"I know! I know. But please, we need to leave before the sun comes up. Just, take these." Damon hangs him two blood bags throught he bars as Elena unlock the cells, opening the door.
"Who are you, gorgeous?" Enzo flirts noticing Elena.
"Two seconds free and already flirting, my kind a man. Call me El." Elena smirks looking him up and down.
"Keep it in your pants, Ellie. Hand me the bag, Stef." Damon says grabbing the bag from his brother.
"Here, put these on. Just follow us." Damon hands him the clothes and turns around.
Damon sees Elena not turning around and raises an eyebrow. She she just smirks and turns back to Enzo, he huffs and grabs her hand, pulling her towards him.
Walking out of the basement, Elena notices Enzo looking around for another exit.
"I wouldn't do that, sweet cheeks." Elena tells him and he turns her, not threatened in the least bit.
"Did you know only about five witch bloodlines have the spell to make daylight rings? I'm real tight with one. You stick with us and I'll put a ring on it." Elena tells him. After nodding he looks at her confused.
"What's "put a ring on it?" She smiles and throws an arm over his shoulder, then retracts it, remembering he's been near starving for 70 years.
"Your gonna love Beyonce, Enzo." She tells him honestly as Stefan smiles and grabs her hand, subtlety pulling her away from the starving vampire.
Walking towards the car in the parking lot, Enzo looks around amazed as Elena laughs at his expression.
"Now it's time to show you the wonders of air conditioning." Elena says opening the door and pushing Enzo inside.
Ch 21
Once they arrive inside the boarding house Enzo slams Damon up against the wall with his hand around his neck... kinda hot, actually.
"Explain." Enzo demands with crazed look in his eyes.
"This seems like a "vampires only" kinda thing. So, I'm just gonna-" Enzo interrupts Elena as she slowing backs away towards the door.
"No. We had a deal. You stay." She sighs and nods in conformation.
"How did you know I was alive?"
"That was me, actually." Elena raises her hand.
"How?" Enzo asks confused.
"I know the future." She says simply and he laughs.
"What?" He asks noticing her serious face.
"Yeah, I can see the future. I've been planning to rescue you for the past 17 years. I just had to wait for these guys to come to town." She says pointing to the brothers.
"Why? You don't even know me." Enzo says.
"That's true, but you didn't deserve to trapped there. And you would have been released in two years anyway. I just sped up the timeline." She shrugs.
"How would I have been released?"
"Uh, it's kinda a long story. Why don't we sit." Elena gestures to the couch.
"I'm sitting, explain." Enzo demands.
"Alright. Had I not interfered, you would have escaped, then killed a girl, then got recaptured, then Wesley would have released you to stall Steffy and Dames, to ensure you would come back he would have infected you with some kind of poison that only he can cure. You would've started to succumb to the poison and Damon would have saved you." She takes a deep breath.
"What did we have to do with it?" Stefan asks.
"Oh, right. The girl he killed was me and Caroline's roommate. We investigated her disappearance and it led us to Augustine. I got captured by Wes and you guys were trying to save me." Elena tells them.
"Why would Wes want you?" Damon asks.
"Because I was a vampire." She says while the Salvatores jaws drop.
"Did I not tell you that? Care was one too." She says simply.
"Woah. Who turned yo-" Enzo interrupts Stefan.
"Can we get back to discussing me now?" Enzo asks both annoyed and angry.
"Yes. Damon, I think it's time to tell him." Elena says as Damon sighs.
"You sure you want to be here for this, El?" Stefan asks with concern.
"Yeah, I think they might both need someone." She says honestly.
"You need to understand something, Enzo. I didn't know and my emotions were turned off. If I knew it was her I would never have done it." Damon says pleading with Enzo to understand.
"What did you do, Damon?" Enzo asks stiffly.
"I killed Maggie. Your Maggie." Damon says quietly.
"When?" He ask eerily calm.
"November, 1960. I didn't know, Enzo. She was asking questions about the fire and I thought she was with Augustine. I never would have-" Enzo interrupts.
"You never would have what? Killed her? Left me?" He says standing up.
"Enzo, I didn't-" Enzo interrupts Damon.
"You killed the love of my life, the one thing that gave me any semblance of hope. The only person who's ever truly cared for me? And your excuse is that you didn't know?" Enzo yells speeding towards Stefan, smashing his hand through his chest.
"Perhaps I'll take away something you love. Then we'll be even. Don't you think?" He ask never taking his eyes off of Stefan.
"Enzo, please don't do this." Damon begs walking slowing towards them.
"Damon, I love you. But, please shut up." Elena says quietly stepping closer towards Stefan.
"Enzo. Enzo, look at me." She says sternly trying to make eye contact.
"Look, I'm not great with the emotions of people I don't know. But, I'm no stranger to loss." She says as he looks to her with pain in his eyes.
"A few months ago my family was in a car accident. Me and my brother survived, but our parents died. We survived because, the man whose chest you have your hand through, pulled us from the car before it caught fire. So I'm asking you, as a person who knows exactly what it's like to lose someone you love, please don't hurt him." She pleads placing her hand on his wrist.
Enzo retracts his hand from Stefan's chest cavity and turns to Damon.
"I'm sure he's not the only person you love." He says nonchalantly and smirks.
"Me and Enzo made a deal. I gotta go talk to a witch. Stef, come with me, you need some bambi blood. You two, please don't kill each other. And don't turn your emotions off Enzo" she adds and he looks at her with wide eyes.
"Yeah, I know everything. Just ask Ocean Eyes." Elena says grabbing Stefan's hand and walking out of the house.
After Elena and Stefan exit the boarding house, Damon opens his mouth to speak, only for Enzo to hold up a hand.
"No, you dont get to talk. I'm gonna get my ring, then I'm gonna leave." He says walking out of the room only to realize he has know idea around the house.
Walking back to Elena's SUV after hunting, Stefan comes upon the girl who quickly became his best friend, singing and playing the air drums to AC/DC.
"Back in black
I hit the sack
I've been too long I'm glad to be back
Yes, I'm let loose
From the noose
That's kept me hanging about
I've been looking at the sky
'Cause it's gettin' me high
Forget the hearse 'cause I never die
I got nine lives
Cat's eyes
Abusin' every one of them and running wild"
she sings/screams switching to air guitar.
"She really is a terrible singer." Stefan thinks with a fond smile slamming his hands on the car, making her jump.
'"Ahh, oh no! Vampire!" She fake faints making him laugh as he gets in the car.
"Wow, you're such a messy eater." Elena says licking her thumb and wiping his face.
"How's your chest?" She asks lifting his shirt and smirking.
"Fine." He says.
"Mmm. Yes, you are." She says making him laugh and blush.
"Where to?" He ask as she puts her seat belt on.
"Bonnie's grams, then lunch with my Care Bear." Elena says as he nods.
"Or motel, your choice." She flirts and he rolls his eyes.
"So, earlier with Enzo, you know the whole, knowing what it's like to lose someone you love." She shrugs.
"What about it?" She looks to him curious.
"Did you mean it? Do you love me?" He asks feeling vulnerable.
"I thought it was obvious. Of course I do. I shared my milkshake." She says simply making him smile and say.
"Right. Milkshake."
"So?" Caroline asks Elena who just looks back at her confused.
"So? What?" She asks eat a fry off of Stefan's plate.
"Is he hot?" Caroline asks while both Stefan and Elena look at her confused.
"Ugh! Enzo." She exclaims throwing her hand up.
"Oh! Undoubtebly. He's tall, dark, and British." Elena supplies licking her lips.
"Yum. I love British accents." Care says making Elena laugh.
"Oh, I'm very aware." she says smirking thinkg of Care's romp in the woods.
"What's that face for? That's your "I know something you don't know" face." Care says as Stefan nods.
"I have no idea what your talking about." Elena slurps the milkshake Stefan ordered and slid over to her.
A few hours after Elena left Damon searches the house for Enzo and finds him in the kitchen.
"Enzo, you gotta listen to me-" Enzo interrupts Damon.
"See, that's where you're wrong, Damon. I don't "gotta" do anything. I'm free." He turns and faces Damon.
"You see, my original plan, should I have ever escaped, was to track down Maggie and see the life she made for herself. Hopefully with a couple kids and maybe grandkids and a husband who worshipped her, but you've made that obsolete, haven't you? Then I was gonna find you and make you pay for your betrayal, but ultimately forgive you, because I understood that you needed to get out of there, by any means necessary. But once again, you ruined it."
Enzo walks past Damon, out of the kitchen and towards the parlor, taking a seat on the ancient couch.
"I didn't do it to hurt you, Enzo." Damon says as he falls into the matching chair.
"I had my emotions turned off." He groans dramatically.
"What about now?" Enzo ask in a non threatening tone for the first time since he arrived.
"They're... teetering." Damon struggles to get out.
"I'd have nothing to do with my beautiful little savior. Would it?" Enzo smirks as Damon shakes his head.
"It's not what you think." He denies.
"What I think is that you're in love with your girl, the one who turned you." Damon cuts him off.
"I am." He says sternly.
"So why are you running around and looking at this girl like she's the second coming." He asks teasingly.
"It's not like that. She's just my... Ellie." Damon slumps farther into the chair.
"She also seems to be your brother's, Ellie." Enzo taunts as Damon snorts and shakes his head.
"Now it's really not what you think." He says and Enzo raises a brow.
"She's just... special. Like, she makes you feel all... happy or, uh... accepted? It's weird. You know, she's threatened to kill me on multiple occasions, and the crazy thing is I actually believe she'll do it. And she's just so random. She once tricked me into going to some party with her and Stefan because she wanted to dance. But then I find out that she only invited us to get us to bond and make up or something. Why she cares, I have no clue. But she does. She just... special. " Damon rambles and Enzo snickers.
"Not in love with her, right?" He says as Damon rolls his eyes and smiles.
"Honey, I'm home!" They hear as Elena and Stefan walk through the front door.
"Oh, my apologies, Honies. You two look cozy." She wiggles her finger between them, then her eyes go wide.
"Oh, my god. You two were making up weren't you. Oh, damn it. I ruined it. Me and Stef are just gonna go back outside. Continue." She rushes out turning around and pulling Stefan with her.
"Ellie, stop." Damon laughs.
"Fine, I talked to my hook up. She'll have the ring dropped off in a little bit." Elena says walking over to the couch and flopping down.
"She's not a coke dealer in the 90's Ellie, she's college professor." Damon laughs as she stretches out with her legs over Enzo's lap.
She just smiles at him as Stefan walks into the room and leans on the arm rest next to her.
"Huh. You know I once had a dream that started just like this." She teases looking around at the vampires.
"Do share." Damon smirks and she laughs.
"Maybe some other time. I've been awake well over 24 hours and need a nap. But if you wanted to give me sexy dreams starring yourself, I wouldn't complain, Ocean Eyes." She flirts sitting up, titling her head and looking him up and down as Stefan laughs.
"Come on, El. Get some sleep in my bed. I'll wake you when Bonnie gets here." Stefan says looking down at here with a soft smile.
"Only if you carry me. And join me." She says and he raises a brow with a smirk.
"Get your mind out of the gutter, Salvatore. You're still not fully healed. You need rest too." She finishes spinning her finger, motioning for him to turn around.
"Watch the couch." Damon halfheartedly yells when she stand up on the couch and jumps on Stefan's back.
"Sorry, my bad. I forgot it's almost as old as you." Elena fake apologizes and smiles at him.
"Goodnight, Enzo. Onward!" Elena yells with a laugh as Stefan runs up the stairs.