chapter 3

"Ok let's start." Odin said. I internally groan. 

Stefan: [voice over] For over a century, I have lived in secret, hiding in the shadows, alone in the world. Until now. I am a vampire, and this is my story [a couple are driving in their car through the woods.]

Man: An hours' drive to hear that crap. You know, it wasn't even a band. A guy with a guitar. An hour each way.

Women: He wasn't that bad.

Man: He sounded like James Blunt.

Women: What's wrong with that?

Man: We already have a James Blunt. One's all we need.

Women: So why did you come?

Man: Because I love you.

Women: Nicely done. What's with all the fog?

Man: It'll clear in a second.

Women: Watch out!

[They run over a man.]

Man: Are you okay?

Women: We just hit someone! Oh my god!

Man: Call for help.

Women: Come on, come on!

Man: Please be alive! Oh, my god.

[The man wakes up and bites him in the neck.]

"Jesus Christ!" Caroline yelps as she gets scared. Everyone but the originals, gods and vampires looked frightened.

"I thought we were watching a show about Astrid." Esther thought aloud only to be shushed by everyone else.

Women: There's no signal! Darren! Darren?

[The women run and gets dragged up into the sky.]

"So, Damon, your still up to your old tricks?" Stefan asked his brother from where he sat next to Nadia.

"That's you?" Elena asks. Damon nods.

"Astrid, why are you next to him?" Mikael asks.

"Mikael just watch the god damn show!" Dahlia yells.

[TITLE: THE VAMPIRE DIARIES]

[Elena is writing in her diary.]

Elena: Dear diary, today will be different. It has to be. I will smile, and it will be believable. My smile will say "I'm fine, thank you." "Yes, I feel much better." I will no longer be the sad little girl who lost her parents. I will start fresh, be someone new. It's the only way I'll make it through.

[In the kitchen.]

Jenna: Toast. I can make toast.

Astrid: It's ok Jenna.

Elena: It's all about the coffee, Aunt Jenna.

Jeremy: Is there coffee?

Astrid: Jer no coffee for you (steals coffee, while Jeremy pouts playfully).

Jenna: Your first day of school and I'm totally unprepared. Lunch money?

Elena: I'm good.

Astrid: No thanks Jenna.

Jenna: Anything else? A number two pencil? What am I missing?

Elena: Don't you have a big presentation today?

Astrid: Yeah, Jenna the meeting.

Jenna: I'm meeting with my thesis advisor at...now. Crap!

Elena: Then go. We'll be fine. You okay?

Jeremy: Don't start.

Elena: Ok, Astrid what are you going to call yourself at school?

Astrid: Don't know but we can brainstorm on the way if you want.

Elena: Yeah, let's do it. (car horn beeps) There's Bonnie.

(The girls rush out.)

[MISSING PERSONS: BROOKE AND DARREN BEHIND ELENA ON TV]

"What are you doing there Astrid?" Klaus asked but got shushed. He then pouts like a little child who got scolded.

Bonnie's Car

[Elena and Bonnie are driving to school in Bonnie's car.]

Bonnie: So, Grams is telling me I'm psychic. Our ancestors were from Salem, witches and all that, I know, crazy, but she's going on and on about it, and I'm like, put this woman in a home already! But then I started thinking, I predicted Obama, and I predicted Heath Ledger, and I still think Florida will break off and turn into little resort islands...Elena, Astrid! Back in the car.

Elena and Astrid: We did it again, didn't we? We- We're sorry, Bonnie. You were telling us that...

Bonnie: That I'm psychic now.

Elena: Right. Okay, then predict something. About me.

Bonnie: I see...

[A crow hits their car.]

Bonnie: What was that?! Oh, my god! Elena and Astrid are you both okay?

Elena: It's okay. I'm fine.

Astrid: Same here.

Bonnie: It was like a bird or something. It came out of nowhere.

Elena: Really, I can't be freaked out by cars for the rest of my life.

Astrid: And I can't be freaked out by the unusual all my life either.

Bonnie: I predict this year is going to be kick ass. And I predict all the sad and dark times are over and you are going to be beyond happy. Hey Astrid I thought of a name for you to go by.

Astrid: Really? What's the name.

Bonnie: I was thinking the name Ashe.

Astrid: I like it. So, while I am here, I will be Ashe Gilbert. Elena, what do you want to say about our relationship? Are we cousins or sisters?

Elena: Let's be sisters.

Astrid: Ok that makes this easier.

"How does that make it easier?" Kol asked but yelped as I threw a shoe at him to shut him up.

[A crow is on top of a road sign.]

Mystic Falls High School

[Stefan walks inside the school.]

[Inside the school.]

Bonnie: Major lack of male real estate. Look at the shower curtain on Kelly Beech. She looks like a hot — can I still say "tranny mess"?

Elena: No, that's over.

Bonnie: Ahh, find a man, coin a phrase. It's a busy year.

[Elena waves to Matt. He ignores her.]

Elena: He hates me.

Bonnie: That's not hate. That's "you dumped me, but I'm too cool to show it, but secretly I'm listening to Air Supply's greatest hits."

Astrid: He needs to get over it.

[Caroline approaches them.]

Caroline: Elena and Astrid. Oh, my god.

[Caroline hugs the two girls.]

Caroline: How are you both? Oh, it's so good to see you girls. How are they? Are they good?

Elena: Caroline, We're right here. And we are fine. Thank you.

Caroline: Really?

Elena: Yes. Much better also Astrid is going by Ashe now and she won't talk much. Right Ashe? (Astrid on screen nods)

Caroline: Oh, you poor thing.

[Caroline hugs Astrid again.]

Elena: Okay, Caroline.

Caroline: Oh! Okay, see you guys later?

Bonnie: OK! Bye!

Elena and Astrid: No comment.

Bonnie: I'm not going to say anything.

[Outside the school.]

Jeremy: Don't take more than two in a six-hour window.

[Vicki takes the pills.]

Tyler: Hey, Vicki. I knew I'd find you here with the crackheads.

Vicki: Hey.

Tyler: Hey, Pete Wentz called. He wants his nail polish back.

Jeremy: Pete Wentz, huh? How old school T.R.L. of you. Carson Daly fan?

Vicki: Oh, Ty, be nice. That's Elena's little brother.

Tyler: I know who he is. I'll still kick his ass.

[Vicky/Tyler kiss]

[Outside the school office.]

Bonnie: Hold up. Who's this?

Elena and Astrid: All I see is back.

Bonnie: It's a hot back.

[In the school office.]

Secretary: Your records are incomplete. You're missing immunization records, and we do insist on transcripts.

Stefan: Please look again. I'm sure everything you need is there.

[Stefan compels the secretary.]

Secretary: Well, you're right. So, it is.

(On screen Astrid tried not to gasp.)

Astrid: (mutters making sure Stefan doesn't hear her.) He compelled her. He is a vampire.

"How did you know?" Stefan asked. 

"Magic." I say doing jazz hands.

[Outside the school office.]

Bonnie: I'm sensing Seattle, and he plays the guitar.

Elena: You're really going to run this whole psychic thing into the ground, huh?

Bonnie: Pretty much.

Boy: Jeremy, good batch, man.

Elena and Astrid: we'll be right back.

Bonnie: Please be hot.

[Elena and Astrid enter the boy's bathroom.]

Boy: Whoa! Pants down, chicks!

[Astrid flips the boy off as Elena grabs Jeremy's face, looking into his eyes to see if he's high.]

"Damn girl, you are a bad bitch." Bonnie laughs. 

Elena: Great. It's the first day of school and you're stoned.

Jeremy: No, I'm not.

Elena: Where is it? Is it on you?

Jeremy: Stop, all right?! You need to chill yourself, all right?

Elena: Chill myself? What is that, stoner talk? Dude, you are so cool.

Jeremy: Look, stop! I don't have anything on me. Are you crazy?

Elena: You haven't seen crazy, Jeremy! I gave you a summer pass, but I am done watching you destroy yourself. No, no, no, you know what? Go ahead. Keep it up. But just know that I am going to be there to ruin your buzz every time, you got it? Jeremy, I know who you are. And it's not this person. So don't be this person.

Jeremy: I don't need this.

[Jeremy leaves.]

Astrid: Jer (follows him)

[Outside the school office, Bonnie watches Stefan.]

Stefan: Thank you.

Secretary: You're welcome.

[Outside the boy's bathroom.]

Stefan: Uh, pardon me. Um...is this the men's room?

Elena: Yes. Um, I was just, um—I was just—It's a long story....

[Elena tries to pass. Stefan makes way for her but stops when he sees Astrid.]

"Oi, eyes off my girl Stefan!" Damon yells. All eyes look at him.

"Your girl Damon?" Stefan asked.

"What did you call my daughter/niece/sister?" My family growled. Mikael stands up and vamps speeds to Damon and pin him to the wall.

"I THOUGHT YOU SAID NOBODY COULD USE THEIR ABILITY'S HERE ODIN!" I yelled.

"It's not my fault. You know how protective your mama is over you." Odin replied.

"Is mama going to show up?" I ask. A blinding light filled the room and standing proud and tall was my mama, Sigyn.

"Mama, pls stop allowing everyone else to use their abilities." I begged. She nodded and Damon was able to breathe again.

Elena: Thank you.

[In the history class.]

Tanner: Once our home state of Virginia joined confederacy in 1861, it created a tremendous amount of tension within the state. People in Virginia's northwest region had different ideals than those from the traditional deep south. Then Virginia divided in 1863 with the northwest region joining the union. (continues talking)

[Elena and Stefan exchange looks.]

Bonnie (text to Elena and Astrid): HAWT-E. STARING @ U.

[Elena and Astrid look at Stefan. Astrid on screen rolled her eyes. The girls then look back to the front.]

Cemetery

[Elena and Astrid walk into the cemetery. Elena writes in her diary.]

Elena: Dear diary, I made it through the day. I must have said, "I'm fine, thanks," at least thirty-seven times. And I didn't mean it once. But no one noticed. When someone asks, "How are you?" They really don't want an answer.

[A crow appears on her parents' gravestone.]

Elena: Okay. Hi, bird. That's not creepy or anything. Shoo!

Astrid: But the bird was cute.

[The bird flies off. Elena gave Astrid a look and then turned back to the bird.]

Elena: That's what I thought.

[The crow reappears, and fog starts to ascend around the cemetery. A man is standing behind a tomb. Astrid stops and starts to walk to the man while Elena starts to run.]

Astrid: He looks so familiar.

[She approaches the man and stands in front of him. He is tall with broad shoulders and a strong jawline. He looks into her eyes and speaks.]

Man: Who are you, beautiful.

My family glare silently at the man.

Astrid: I'm Astrid, and I believe you're my soulmate.

Man: (smiles) My name is Damon Salvatore. It's nice to meet you, Astrid. How do you know I am your soulmate?

Astrid: I am part of the supernatural world. Damon, I know you are a vampire. Who turned you?

[Damon looks away and speaks with sadness in his voice.]

Damon: I was turned by my brother, Stefan. He never meant to hurt me.

Astrid: I understand. You can talk to me about it if you'd like. [She pauses.] We are both supernatural beings, Damon. We have powers that others do not. We have a bond that most don't understand or even believe exists. [Astrid takes Damon's hand in hers.] Let us explore our world together and learn why we are connected in this special way.

[Damon smiles and nods in agreement.]

[Near the gravestones is Elena who is still running.]

Elena: Ahh!

[Elena trips and falls. She gets up and sees Stefan.]

Stefan: You, okay?

Elena: Were you following me?

Stefan: No, I-a, uh, I-a just — I saw you fall.

Elena: Uh-huh, and you just happened to be hanging out in a cemetery.

Stefan: I'm visiting. I have family here.

Elena: Oh. Wow. Tactless. I'm sorry. It's the fog, it's making me foggy. And then back there, there was this - this bird, and it was all very Hitchcock for a second. That is the bird movie, right, the Hitchcock...I'm Elena.

Stefan: I'm Stefan.

Elena: I know. We have History together.

Stefan: And English and French.

Elena: Right.

[Stefan pulls a leaf out of Elena's hair.]

Elena: Thanks...Nice ring.

Stefan: Oh. Um, It's a family ring, yeah. I'm kinda stuck with it. It's weird, huh?

Elena: No, no. It's just, I mean, there are rings and then there's that.

Stefan: Did you hurt yourself?

Elena: Hmm?

Stefan: Did you hurt yourself?

Elena: Oh, uh, I don't know.

[Elena pulls up her pant leg and sees a cut gushing blood.]

Elena: Oh! Would you look at that. That is not pretty.

[Stefan turns around and his face changes].

Elena: Are you okay?

[Stefan's eyes start to change]

"Bro needs control." Enzo mutters.

Stefan: You should go. Take care of that.

Elena: Really, it's nothing.

[She turns around but Stefan has disappeared.]

Salvatore Boarding House

[Stefan is writing in his diary.]

Stefan: I lost control today. Everything I've kept buried inside came rushing to the surface. I'm simply not able to resist her.

Mystic Grill

Jeremy: Hey Vick.

Vicki: Working.

[She arrives at Matt and Tyler's table.]

Matt: Thanks, Vick.

Vicki: Do you need another refill?

Tyler: I'd love one.

[Vicki leaves the table.]

Matt: Please tell me you're not hooking up with my sister.

Tyler: I'm not hooking up with your sister.

Matt: You're such a dick.

[Jeremy catches up to Vicki.]

Jeremy: Hey, what's your deal? I mean, summer you act one way and then school starts, and you can't be bothered.

Vicki: Look, Jeremy, I really appreciate all the pharmaceuticals, but you can't keep following me around like a lost puppy.

Jeremy: When's the last time you had sex with a puppy?

Vicki: Hey, keep it down. I don't want to tell the whole world I deflowered Elena's kid brother and Astrid's friend.

"I'm sorry what?" Elena ask's but gets no reply.

Jeremy: Yeah, and deflowered and deflowered.

Vicki: We hooked up a few times in a drug haze. It's over. You gotta back off before you ruin things between me and Tyler.

Jeremy: Oh, come on, the guy's a total douche. He only wants you for your ass.

Vicki: Yeah? What do you want me for?

[Caroline and Bonnie enter.]

Caroline: His name is Stefan Salvatore. He lives with uncle up at the old Salvatore Boarding House. He hasn't lived here since he was a kid. Military family, so they moved around a lot. He's a Gemini, and his favourite colour is blue.

Bonnie: You got all of that in one day?

Caroline: Oh, please, I got all that between third and fourth period. We're planning a June wedding.

Gilbert Residence

Elena: I'm meeting Bonnie at the grill.

Jenna: Okay, have fun. Wait, I got this. Don't stay out late, it's a school night.

Elena: Well, done, Aunt Jenna.

[She opens the door.]

Elena: Oh.

Stefan: Sorry, I was about to knock. I wanted to apologize for my disappearing act earlier. I know it was...strange.

Elena: No worries. I get it, blood makes you squeamish.

Stefan: Um, something like that. How's your leg?

Elena: Oh, it's fine. Just a scratch, barely. How did you know where I lived?

Stefan: It's a small town. I asked the first person I saw. Um, I thought you might want this back.

[He hands her her diary.]

Elena: Oh, I must have dropped it. I--thank you.

Stefan: Don't worry, I didn't...read it.

Elena: No? Why not? Most people would have.

Stefan: Well, I wouldn't want anyone to read mine.

Elena: You keep a journal?

Stefan: Yeah, if I don't write it down, I forget it. Memories are too important.

Elena: Yeah. I'm just gonna...umm, you don't have to stay out there.

[He tries to go in but he can't.]

Stefan: I'm fine. Sorry, were you going somewhere?

Elena: Yeah, I'm meeting a friend. Do you want to come?

Mystic Grill

Matt: How's Elena and Astrid doing?

Bonnie: Her mom and dad who were Astrid's friends died. And adding on to the fact that Astrid is still paranoid because of her bio family. Well other than her sister Kat. How do you think? They've been putting on a good face, but it's only been four months.

"Her sister Kat?" everyone other than Katherine and Katerina asked.

"Well, I can't say that Kat is my daughter when I look like I am under 18 can I?" I replied.

"YOUR DAUGHTER!" Mikael yelled.

Mikael's expression went from shock to confusion as he slowly absorbed the information. His mouth hung open for a few moments and his eyes darted back and forth between Katherine and I, as if looking for some explanation.

The silence between us was unmistakably awkward. I could almost hear Mikael's mind working overtime, trying to find the answer within himself that would explain this unexpected turn of events. He finally broke the silence with a single word: "How?

"She doesn't need to tell you." Dahlia replied for me as she placed a silencing spell on him.

Matt: Has Elena said anything about me?

Bonnie: Oh, no. So not getting in the middle. You pick up the phone and call her.

Matt: I feel weird calling her. She broke up with me.

Bonnie: Give it more time, Matt.

[Elena enters with Stefan.]

Matt: More time, huh?

[He walks over to Elena and Stefan.]

Matt: Hey, I'm Matt, nice to meet you.

Stefan: Hi. Stefan.

Elena: Hey.

Matt: Hey.

"Awkward." Damon and I sing. We then laugh softly.

Caroline: So, you were born in Mystic Falls?

Stefan: Mm-Hmm. And moved when I was still young.

Bonnie: Parents?

Stefan: My parents passed away.

Elena: I'm sorry. Any siblings?

Stefan: None that I talk to. I live with my uncle.

Caroline: So, Stefan, if you're new, then you don't know about the party tomorrow.

Bonnie: It's a back-to-school thing at the falls.

Stefan (to Elena): Are you going?

Bonnie: Of course, she is.

"Astrid, where are you during this?" Klaus asked. I shrug.

Salvatore Boarding House

Zach: You promised.

[Zach shows Stefan the newspaper article.]

Stefan: This was an animal attack.

Zach: Don't give me that. I know the game. You tear them up enough, they always suspect an animal attack. You said you had it under control.

Stefan: And I do.

Zach: Please, Uncle Stefan. Mystic Falls is a different place now. It's been quiet for years, but there are people who still remember. And you being here, it's just going to stir things up.

Stefan: It's not my intention.

Zach: Then what is? Why did you come back? After all this time, why now?

Stefan: I don't have to explain myself.

Zach: I know that you can't change what you are. But you don't belong here anymore.

Stefan: Where do I belong?

Zach: I can't tell you what to do. But coming back here was a mistake.

[Opens a door. Pulls out a journal with what looks to be a really old picture of Elena. The writing under the picture says Katherine 1864]

"That woman looks exactly like you Elena." Bonnie pointed out but got no reply.

Mystic Falls High School

[In history class.]

Tanner: The Battle of Willow Creek took place right at the end of the war in our very own Mystic Falls. How many casualties resulted in this battle? Ms. Bennett?

Bonnie: Um...a lot? I'm not sure. Like a whole lot.

Tanner: Cute becomes dumb in an instant, Ms. Bennett. Mr. Donovan? Would you like to take this opportunity to overcome your embedded jock stereotype?

Matt: It's okay, Mr. Tanner, I'm cool with it.

Tanner: Hmm. Elena? Surely you can enlighten us about one of the town's most significantly historical events?

Elena: I'm sorry, I--I don't know.

Tanner: I was willing to be lenient last year for obvious reasons, Elena. But the personal excuses ended with summer break.

Astrid: It is not her bloody fault that her parents died you sexist ass. [everyone in the class look at Astrid shocked.]

Tanner: And who are you? [Tanner says looking at Astrid with lust in his eyes]

"Get your eyes of her you disgusting piece of mortal flesh." All of Astrids soulmates and family yell at the on screen tanner.

Astrid: Hi I am Ashe Gilbert. Elena's twin sister. I suggest you take your eyes off me before I pull them out, you disgusting piece of shit.

"YES, THATS MY SISTER!" All the Mikaelson sibling's yell.

Tanner: I never knew that Elena had a twin.

Astrid: Yeah well, I lived with my uncle John since I was a baby. But I visited every second weekend and when my parents died, I came back home to be with my siblings. Also...

Stefan and Astrid: There were 346 casualties. Unless you're counting local civilians. [Stefan looks at Astrid surprised that she knew that.]

Tanner: That's correct. Mister...?

Stefan: Salvatore.

Tanner: Salvatore. Any relation to the original settlers here at Mystic Falls?

Stefan: Distant.

Tanner: Well, very good. And Ashe that is also correct except, of course, there were no civilian casualties in this battle.

Stefan and Astrid: Actually, there were 27, sir. Confederate soldiers, they fired on the church, believing it to be housing weapons. They were wrong. It was a night of great loss. The founder's archives are, uh, stored in civil hall if you'd like to brush up on your facts, Mr. Tanner. [Stefan looks at Astrid again surprised that they said the same thing.]

Tanner: Hmm. [He mutters still looking at Astrid who gets up and punches him in the face and then flips him off as she leaves the classroom.]

"GO BAD BITCH, GO BAD BITCH, GO!" Everyone but Esther and Mikael Scream.

Woods

[Stefan arrives at the party and is listening for Elena.]

Bonnie: Just admit it, Elena.

Elena: Oh, okay, so he's a little pretty.

Bonnie: He has that romance novel stare.

[Caroline walks up to Stefan.]

Caroline: Hey! You made it!

Stefan: I did.

Caroline: Well, let's get you a drink.

Stefan: Well, I'm--

Caroline: Oh, come on.

[Bonnie and Elena are still talking.]

Bonnie: So where is he?

Elena: I don't know. You tell me, you're the psychic one.

Bonnie: Right, I forgot. Okay, so give me a sec. Grams says I have to concentrate.

Elena: Wait, you need a crystal ball.

[She gives her a bottle. Bonnie takes it and touches Elena's hand. Bonnie spaces out for a while, comes back to her senses, and abruptly pulls her hand back.]

"Astrid, where are you during this?" Elijah asked. I shrug and signal him to be quiet.

Elena: What?

Bonnie: That was weird. When I touched you, I saw a crow.

Elena: What?

Bonnie: A crow. There was fog, a man. I'm drunk. It's the drinking. There's nothing psychic about it. Yeah? Ok, I'm gonna get a refill.

[Bonnie leaves Elena alone.]

Elena: Okay? Bonnie!

[She turns around Stefan is behind her.]

Stefan: Hi.

Elena: Hi.

Stefan: I did it again, didn't it?

Elena: Yeah.

Stefan: I'm sorry. You're upset about something.

Elena: Oh, uh, no, it's- it's just Bonnie. She's...You know what? Never mind. You're...here.

Stefan: I'm here.

[Bridge near the party.]

Elena: You know, you're kind of the talk of the town.

Stefan: Am I?

Elena: Mmm hmm. Mysterious new guy, oh, yeah.

Stefan: Well, you have the mysterious thing going, too. Twinged in sadness.

Elena: What makes you think that I'm sad?

Stefan: Well, we did meet in a graveyard.

Elena: Right. Well, no, technically we met in the men's room. You don't want to know, it's.... it's not exactly party chit-chat.

Stefan: Well, I've never really been very good at, uh, chit-chat.

Elena: Last spring.. my parents' car drove off of a bridge into the lake. And I was in the backseat and I survived, but...they didn't. So that's my story.

Stefan: You won't be sad forever, Elena.

[Woods by the party.]

Vicki: No, Ty. I'm not having sex against a tree.

"TYLER YOU PIECE OF SHIT!" Matt yells trying to punch him but was held back by Jeremy.

Tyler: Oh, come on, it would be hot.

Vicki: For who? No, it's not going to happen. It's not going to happen, not here, not like this. No. I said no. I said no! Ow, that hurts!

[Jeremy appears.]

Jeremy: Hey, leave her alone!

Tyler: You know, you're starting to get on my nerves, Gilbert.

Vicki: Just go, Tyler, get the hell away from me.

Tyler: Wow. Vicki Donovan says no. That's a first.

[Tyler leaves.]

Vicki: I didn't need your help.

Jeremy: It seems like you did.

Vicki: He was just drunk.

Jeremy: I'm drunk. Am I throwing myself at you?

Vicki: No, you're worse. You want to talk to me, get to know me, see into my soul and screw and screw and screw until you're done with me.

Jeremy: Is that what you think?

Vicki: That's what I know.

[Bridge by the party.]

Stefan: I like Bonnie, she seems like a good friend.

Elena: Best friend in the world.

Stefan: And Matt, he can't seem to, uh, take his eyes off of us.

Elena: Matt's that friend since childhood that you start dating because you owe it to yourselves to see if you can be more.

Stefan: And?

Elena: And then my parents died, and everything changes. Ashe came home and anyway, Matt and I, together we just, I don't know, it wasn't, um...it wasn't...

Stefan: Passionate?

Elena: No. No, it wasn't passionate...

[Stefan's eyes start to change.]

Elena: Hey, um, are you okay? Um, Your eye, it just, it's--

Stefan: Oh, um...Yeah, no. It's, um, it's nothing. Um, are you thirsty? I'm gonna get us a drink.

[He leaves.]

[Near the party.]

Vicki: Jeremy? Is that you?...Jeremy?

[Fog descends around her. A man is standing behind her. She is attacked.]

[At the party.]

Matt: Looking for someone?

Elena: Hey.

Matt: When you broke up with me, you said it was because you needed some time alone. You don't look so alone to me.

Elena: Matt, you don't understand. It's--

Matt: That's okay, Elena. You do what you have to do. I just want to let you know that...I still believe in us. And I'm not giving up on that.

Elena: Matt...

Caroline: Hey! There you are. Have you been down to the falls yet? Because they are really cool at night. And I can show you...if you want.

Stefan: I think you've had too much to drink.

Caroline: Well, of course I have. So—

Stefan: Caroline. You and me, it's not gonna happen. Sorry.

[Stefan approaches Elena.]

Elena: I was wondering who abducted you, but now I know.

Stefan: Is she like that with, uh, all the guys?

Elena: No. You're fresh meat. She'll back off eventually. Hmm. God, you gotta be kidding me!

Stefan: What is it?

Elena: My brother.

Stefan: The drunk one?

Elena: That would be the one. Excuse me.

Stefan: Need some help?

Elena: Trust me, you're not going to want to witness this. Jeremy! Jeremy!

"Astrid, where are you during this?" Mikael asked this time. Dahlia silences him again as I just shrug my shoulders.

[In the woods.]

Elena: Jeremy, where the hell are you going?

Jeremy: I don't want to hear it!

Elena: Yeah, well, too bad!

[Jeremy trips. He sees Vicki's body, she's been bitten.]

Jeremy: Vicki? No! Oh, my god, it's Vicki!

Elena: Oh, my god!

Jeremy: No!

[At the party.]

Elena: Somebody help!

Matt: Vicki? Vicki, what the hell?!

Tyler: What happened to her?

Matt: Somebody, call an ambulance!

Tyler: Everybody back up, give her some space!

Elena: It's her neck. Something bit her. She's losing a lot of blood.

Boy: Put this on her neck.

Matt: Vicki, Vicki, come on, open your eyes, look at me.

Salvatore Boarding House

Zach: What's going on?

Stefan: Someone else was attacked tonight, Zach, and it wasn't me.

[Stefan enters his bedroom. A crow appears.]

Stefan: Damon.

[A man is standing on the balcony.]

Damon: Hello, brother.

"God damn that was hot." I mutter under my breath forgetting that most people in the room could hear me. Damon looked and me and smirked as I blushed.

Stefan: Crow's a bit much, don't you think?

Damon: Wait till you see what I can do with the fog.

Stefan: When'd you get here?

Damon: Well, I couldn't miss your first day at school. Your hair's different. I like it.

Stefan: It's been 15 years, Damon.

Damon: Thank God. I couldn't take another day of the nineties. That horrible grunge look? Did not suit you. Remember, Stefan, it's important to stay away from fads.

Stefan: Why are you here?

Damon: I miss my little brother.

Stefan: You hate small towns. It's boring. There's nothing for you to do.

Damon: I've managed to keep myself busy.

Stefan: You know, you left that girl alive tonight. That's very clumsy of you.

Damon: Ah. That can be a problem...for you.

Stefan: Why are you here now?

Damon: I could ask you the same question. However, I'm fairly certain your answer can be summed up all into one little word...Elena.

Woods

[Matt leaves by ambulance with Vicky.]

Bonnie: Hey. We're gonna go to Mainline Coffee, wait for news.

Elena: I gotta take Jeremy home.

Bonnie: Elena, there's no way I'm psychic. I know that. But whatever I saw, or I think I saw, I have this feeling...

Elena: Bonnie, what?

Bonnie: That it's just the beginning.

Salvatore Boarding House

Damon: She took my breath away. Elena. She's a dead ringer for Katherine. Is it working, Stefan? Being around her, being in her world? Does it make you feel alive?

Stefan: She's not Katherine.

Damon: Well, let's hope not. We both know how that ended. Tell me something, when's the last time you had something stronger than a squirrel?

[On screen Astrid sat in the shadows watching the brothers.]

Stefan: I know what you're doing, Damon. It's not gonna work.

Damon: Yeah? Come on. Don't you crave a little?

[Damon starts hitting Stefan.]

Stefan: Stop it.

Damon: Let's do it. Together. I saw a couple girls out there. Or just, let's just cut to the chase, let's just go straight for Elena or maybe her sister Ashe is it.

Stefan: Stop it!

Damon: Imagine what her blood tastes like!

[Stefan's face transforms.]

Damon: I can.

Stefan: I said stop!

[Stefan runs into Damon, throwing him out of the window. When he lands on the pavement, Damon isn't there.]

Damon: I was impressed. I give it a six. Missing style, but I was pleasantly surprised. Very good with the whole face...thing. It was good.

Stefan: You know, it's all fun and games, Damon, huh? But wherever you go, people die.

Damon: That's a given.

Stefan: Not here. I won't allow it.

Damon: I take that as an invitation.

Stefan: Damon, please. After all these years, can't we just give it a rest?

Damon: I promised you an eternity of misery, so I'm just keeping my word.

Stefan: Just stay away from Elena and Ashe.

Damon: Where's your ring? Oh, yeah, sun's coming up in a couple of hours, and, poof, ashes to ashes. Relax. It's right here.

[Damon grabs Stefan by the throat and throws him against the garage.]

Damon: You should know better than to think you're stronger than me. You lost that fight when you stopped feeding on people. I wouldn't try it again. I think we woke Zach up. Sorry, Zach.

Astrid: [Stepping out of the shadows] wow look at the boys fighting like animals.

[Stefan stops and rushes to Astrid]

Stefan: You will forget what you have seen and go home. [He tries to compel the on-screen Astrid.]

Astrid: Nice try littlest Salvatore but you can't compel me. [Stefan looks shocked.]

Stefan: How do you know what I was trying to do? [On screen Astrid laughs and walks over to Damon. Damon smiles and kisses her cheek gently.]

Astrid: [Smiling] I have been part of the supernatural community for over a thousand years littlest Salvatore. I'm an immortal and Damon is one of my soulmates.

Stefan: What? [he looks confused and shocked.]

Astrid: [Smiling] A soulmate is like a companion for eternity, someone that you are deeply connected to and share a special bond with. It's a connection that can never be broken or severed, no matter what happens throughout your lifetime and beyond. Damon and I will share lifetimes together, both as mortal humans and as immortals. We have experienced pain, joy, sorrow, love…all the emotions in between. And through it all we remain connected to each other in ways that others can't understand – it's a bond of unconditional love that transcends time itself. That is what Damon is to me.

The Mikaelson's siblings are confused by what their sister just said. They go to ask her what she meant but are unable to because Dahlia put a silencing spell on them.

Stefan: How, your Elena's twin sister Ashe. Are you going to tell me that Elena is also an immortal.

Astrid: My name is actually Astrid, and I am not a Gilbert, they are my friends who are letting me stay with them so I can be hidden from my actual family.

Stefan: Alright, but one day you will tell me exactly who you are.

Damon: Leave it Stefan. Astrid I will see you later.

Astrid: Love you, Damon. [Kisses his cheek before jumping out the window and vamp speeding away.]

"Ok what the hell was that about?" Kol finally asks but shuts up once Freya threw a shoe at him, and it hits his head.

Woods

[Jeremy is drinking a beer. Elena arrives.]

Elena: You, okay? I called Jenna, she's on her way. Those people in uniforms, last time I checked, they're the police. People are going to stop giving you breaks, Jer. They just don't care anymore. They don't remember that our parents are dead, because they've got their own lives to deal with. The rest of the world has moved on. You should try, too.

Jeremy: I've seen you in the cemetery writing in your diary. Is that--is that supposed to be you moving on?

Elena: Mom and Dad wouldn't have wanted this.

Mystic Grill

Bonnie: Are you sober yet?

Caroline: No.

Bonnie: Keep drinking. I gotta get you home. I gotta get me home.

Caroline: Why didn't he go for me? You know, how come the guys that I want never want me?

Bonnie: I'm not touching that.

Caroline: I'm inappropriate. I always say the wrong thing. And...Elena always says the right thing. She doesn't even try! And he just picks her. And she's always the one that everyone picks, for everything. And I try so hard, and... I'm never the one. I wish Astrid could help me.

Bonnie: It's not a competition, Caroline.

Caroline: Yeah, it is.

Hospital

[Matt is sitting at the hospital with Vicki. Vicki wakes up.]

Matt: Vicki...Hey. Hey, it's okay. You're gonna be okay.

Vicki: Matt--

Matt: Hey, don't try to talk, okay? You're fine.

Vicki: Vampire.

Gilbert Residence/Salvatore Boarding House

Elena: Dear diary, I couldn't have been more wrong. I thought that I could smile, nod my way through it; pretend like it would all be ok.

Stefan: I had a plan. I wanted to change who I was; create a life as someone new, someone without the past.

Elena: Without the pain.

Elena/Stefan: Someone alive.

Elena: But it's not that easy. The bad things stay with you.

Stefan: They follow you.

Mystic Grill

[Caroline is alone at the table. Damon looks at her.]

Stefan: [voiceover] You can't escape them, as much as you want to.

[Damon smiles at Caroline. She smiles back. Astrid see's this from the shadows and smiles knowing that Caroline will soon be part of her family.]

Gilbert Residence

[Elena is in her bedroom.]

Elena: All you can do is be ready for the good. So when it comes, you invite it in, because you need it. I need it.

[Elena sees Stefan outside her window.]

Stefan: I know it's late. But, uh...I needed to know that you were ok, and that Ashe was ok.

Elena: You know, for months, that's all anyone's wondered about me. If I'll be ok. And Ashe well she knows how to hide it.

Stefan: What do you tell them?

Elena: That I'll be fine.

Stefan: Do you ever mean it?

Elena: Ask me tomorrow. It's warmer in the house. We can talk. Would you like to come in?

Stefan: Yes.

[Stefan enters Elena's house. Astrid is seen upstairs making what the hell signs with her hands at Elena.]

"Thats the end of the first episode." Odin calls.

"Well start the next one Odin!" I yell at him from where I was. I had just gotten comfy leaning on Kai, while I was sitting on Mason's lap and cuddling Damon.