MYSTIC FALLS HOSPITAL

Aella and Caroline sat outside Carol's hospital room, the tension palpable between them. Aella shifted restlessly, her nerves fraying as time slipped away and Tyler remained inside with his mother, Carol.

"We're wasting time sat here," Aella muttered, her impatience evident in her voice.

Caroline glanced at her phone, checking the message she had sent to Tyler upon their arrival. "I texted Tyler; he said he'd be out," she replied, her tone tinged with frustration.

Aella's gaze flicked towards the closed door of Carol's room, a silent plea for Tyler to join them, to no avail. She could feel Tyler's presence on the other side, his absence weighing heavily on her mind.

"You should just go in there and drag him out; it's not like we're saving his life," Aella suggested, her agitation clear in her voice.

Caroline bristled at Aella's lack of sympathy. "His mom fell down the stairs; he needs time with her," she countered, her voice tight with emotion.

Aella scoffed at Caroline's defense, her skepticism evident. "Fell down? What a coincidence: Klaus needs a werewolf, and the mother of one happens to fall down the stairs," she remarked, her words dripping with sarcasm.

Caroline's eyes widened in disbelief at the implication. "Klaus did this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aella rolled her eyes at Caroline's naivety, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "Of course Klaus did this, Caroline," she replied, her tone exasperated. "Klaus is crazy, and we're crazy sitting here when you should be hidden far away from him."

With a flick of her hand, Aella lightly tapped Caroline's forehead in agitation, the blonde wincing at the gesture.

Aella's pout deepened, her arms crossing petulantly as she turned away from Caroline, frustration evident in her demeanor.

"I miss selfish Caroline; she would have left Carol Lockwood to drag herself to call 911," she muttered, her words tinged with irritation.

Caroline's gasp of indignation cut through the tension, and she delivered a swift hit to Aella's arm in response to her remark.

"You take that back," Caroline demanded, her voice sharp with offense.

Aella recoiled, jumping down two seats in shock and rubbing her arm where Caroline had struck her.

"Ow! You totally used your vampire strength, that's going to bruise!" Aella protested, wincing at the soreness.

In retaliation, Aella unleashed a burst of her air magic, striking Caroline back. Caroline gasped in surprise as she rubbed her own arm.

"You used your magic on me," Caroline accused, her tone a mix of surprise and reproach.

Undeterred, Caroline shuffled down the two chairs to confront Aella face-to-face, lightly slapping her arm. Aella responded in kind, and soon the two were engaged in a playful but heated slapping match in the hospital corridor.

Their antics were abruptly interrupted by a cleared throat, and they turned to see Tyler standing there, a bemused expression on his face as he observed the spectacle before him.

The sight of Tyler's incredulous gaze only fueled their amusement, and they shared a sheepish grin before composing themselves.

"I'm feeling a slight deja vu here, except I was on the receiving side of Aella's fury," Tyler remarked, his tone laced with amusement.

Aella's expression darkened as she recalled the altercation with Tyler in the past, but she remained silent as Tyler continued, his tone sincere.

"Aella, I'm so sorry," Tyler apologized, his words weighted with remorse. "So much went on that night, and I said things that I never meant. As soon as we got away from Mystic Falls, my mind went clear and I felt so bad. I should know by now that you'd do anything to protect those you love."

Tyler's admission had left Caroline blushing furiously, her cheeks turning a shade of red that could rival a ripe tomato. Aella, on the other hand, looked on wide-eyed, caught completely off guard by Tyler's unexpected declaration.

As Caroline and Tyler shared a momentary gaze filled with unspoken tension, Aella decided to break the awkward silence by clearing her throat and standing up.

"Okay, thank you for that," Aella interjected, her voice tinged with a hint of awkwardness. But before the moment could linger any longer, Aella's response caught Tyler by surprise.

"But you have to leave," she added quickly, offering an explanation. "Your mom getting hurt and you coming here; Klaus needed you to come back for the ritual," Aella explained, her tone tinged with frustration.

Tyler's eyes widened in shock at the mention of Klaus.

"Klaus is here?!" Tyler exclaimed, his voice filled with a mixture of surprise and concern.

Aella nodded emphatically. "Yes!" she confirmed, her frustration evident as she glanced angrily at Caroline before turning back to Tyler.

"And he needs a vampire and a werewolf," Aella continued, gesturing between Caroline and Tyler with a dramatic flourish.

"And looky here, I've got one of each," she added, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Tyler shifted uncomfortably, torn between his loyalty to his mother and the impending danger Klaus posed.

"Jules said not to come. But she's my mom. I had to," Tyler explained, his voice tinged with guilt.

Aella nodded understandingly, her expression softening slightly.

"Yeah, well, now you have to go," Aella insisted, her tone firm as she gestured toward the exit.

Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed Aella's sentiments, and they all turned to see Jules walking down the corridor, her expression filled with determination.

"You took the words right out of my mouth," Jules declared, her gaze flickering with uncertainty as she looked at Aella before turning to Tyler.

"We have to get out of here. Lock ourselves up before tonight," Jules urged, her tone urgent.

Aella groaned audibly, realizing the gravity of the situation.

"And now we have two werewolves in town. Klaus will be overjoyed," Aella muttered sarcastically, her frustration evident as she began ushering Caroline and Tyler toward the exit with determined pushes.

As they made their way out of the hospital, Aella took charge, her brisk strides setting the pace for the others.

"We're West Wing-ing. Walk and talk, people," Aella declared, her tone commanding as she gestured for them to keep moving.

As they walked, Aella directed her attention to Jules, her expression serious.

"You and Tyler have to get as far away as you can. Klaus needs a werewolf to sacrifice," Aella explained, her urgency evident in her voice.

Jules hesitated, her steps faltering, but Aella pushed her forward, unwilling to entertain any objections.

"We can't, it's the full moon. It's not safe for anyone," Jules protested, her voice tinged with concern.

Aella shook her head in frustration, her determination unwavering.

"You're not safe here. Drive as far away as you can to the middle of nowhere until you can't handle the pain anymore, but you can't be here," Aella insisted, her tone leaving no room for argument.

As they reached the car park, Aella's phone rang, and she let out an exasperated groan, muttering under her breath about the impending bad news.

"I just know this isn't going to be good news," Aella muttered, her voice low enough for the others to hear.

As Aella walked away to answer the phone, Tyler nudged Caroline to speak privately, but Jules didn't let her gaze move from the two. Caroline noticed and widened her eyes at Tyler, who could only rub his neck nervously.

"She's just making sure I'm safe," Tyler remarked, trying to lighten the mood.

Caroline raised an eyebrow at Tyler's response, her expression questioning.

"So what, are you two, like, friends now?" Caroline asked, her tone tinged with skepticism.

Tyler winced at Caroline's tone but remained firm in his response.

"She's been helping me," Tyler explained, his voice earnest.

Before Caroline could respond, Aella's sudden scream of expletives interrupted their conversation. Caroline and Tyler turned to see Aella's distress, their concern evident in their expressions. Caroline let out a low whistle, recognizing the seriousness of the situation.

"Someone fucked up," Caroline remarked, her tone laced with apprehension.

Aella stomped over to them, her urgency palpable as she gave out orders.

"You two get as far away from here as possible," Aella commanded, pointing at Tyler and Jules. Then, she turned to Caroline and issued another directive.

"You. Go straight to the Boarding House and stay there until I say it's safe," Aella instructed, cutting off any potential arguments from Caroline.

Feeling the weight of Aella's emotions, Caroline nodded in understanding. She kissed Aella's cheek, reciprocating the sentiment.

"I need you to be safe," Aella whispered tearfully.

Caroline responded softly, her voice filled with sincerity.

"I need you safe too," Caroline assured her.

Caroline handed Aella her car keys, offering a plan to ensure Aella's safety.

"Go, I'll have Tyler drop me off on their way out of town," Caroline suggested confidently, trying to ease Aella's concerns.

Aella, weary but touched by Caroline's reassurance, received the encouragement with a hint of skepticism.

"A five-minute journey with two werewolves, I'll be safe," Caroline added with a playful grin, attempting to lighten the mood.

Tyler noticed Aella's uncertainty and stepped in with determination, offering his own pledge.

"I'll keep her safe, Aella," Tyler asserted firmly, meeting Aella's gaze with unwavering determination.

Aella looked at Tyler, catching a glimpse of something familiar in his eyes—the same protective gaze she'd seen in Stefan's eyes countless times. It was a silent reassurance, and Aella nodded in acknowledgment.

With a final nod, Aella rushed to the car and sped out of the hospital car park. Caroline beamed gratefully at Tyler, acknowledging his commitment.

"Thank you," Caroline said sincerely, her voice filled with gratitude.

Meanwhile, Jules waved for them to join her car, urgency evident in her gestures.

"We need to go now," Jules urged, emphasizing the urgency of their situation.

Caroline nodded in agreement, and they made their way towards Jules' car. However, their departure was abruptly interrupted as Caroline suddenly clutched her head and screamed in agony. Tyler and Jules followed suit, their screams echoing through the hospital car park.

In the chaos, Maddox emerged, his hand outstretched with a menacing claw aimed at the wolves. Greta appeared behind Caroline, swiftly injecting vervain into her. Within moments, the three of them collapsed unconscious to the ground.

Greta wasted no time, turning to Maddox with determination.

"Let's go," she declared, prompting Maddox to magically lift them up and whisk them away to an uncertain fate.

SALVATORE BOARDING HOUSE

Elena sat perched on the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed on the wall before her. The weight of recent events seemed to hang heavily in the air around her. A soft knock on the doorframe drew her attention, and she glanced up to see Stefan leaning against it, a caring smile etched on his face.

"How are you?" Stefan inquired, his voice gentle.

Elena shot him a look, a mixture of frustration and sadness flickering in her eyes. Stefan chuckled softly, understanding the futility of his question, and stepped into the room, his presence offering a comforting anchor.

"Stupid question, I know," he admitted with a shake of his head as he settled beside her on the bed. "I'm so sorry."

Elena bit her lip, a wave of emotion threatening to overwhelm her. She turned away from Stefan, unable to bear the thought of breaking down in front of him.

"How could he do that to me? Why?" she murmured, her voice laden with hurt and confusion.

Stefan could only shake his head in response, his own frustration and bewilderment mirrored in his expression. Despite their long history together, spanning over a century and a half, Damon's actions still left Stefan grappling for understanding. Sensing that delving deeper into Damon's motives would only lead to more questions than answers, Stefan gently redirected the conversation.

"You've never talked about this. If this ever became a possibility," he remarked, his tone thoughtful as he broached the topic of vampirism.

Elena's brow furrowed as she considered Stefan's question, the weight of its implications hanging in the air between them.

"It doesn't matter," she insisted, her voice tinged with resignation.

Stefan refused to accept her dismissal, reaching out to gently tap her leg in a silent plea for her to meet his gaze.

"Of course it matters," he countered firmly, his eyes urging her to confront the weighty implications of such a decision.

With a gentle tap to her knee, he encouraged her to look at him, silently promising to support her through whatever challenges lay ahead.

"Hey?" he repeated softly, his voice infused with warmth and understanding, a beacon of solace in the midst of their shared turmoil.

Reluctantly, Elena turned to meet his gaze, tears shimmering in her eyes. Stefan held her gaze, his expression serious yet comforting.

"It matters," he reiterated, his voice soft but firm as he emphasized the importance of their conversation.

Elena managed a shaky smile in response, her gratitude evident in her eyes. However, her attempt at humor fell flat as she voiced her concerns about the future.

"I guess Aella will have to make me a daylight ring," she remarked, her tone tinged with a hint of resignation.

Stefan's response was characteristically reassuring, his nonchalant demeanor doing little to mask his unwavering support.

"Piece of cake," he replied with a casual shrug, his confidence in Aella's abilities unwavering.

Elena couldn't help but playfully muse about the aesthetics of her future accessory, a glimmer of amusement flickering in her eyes.

"I hope it will be a cute ring..." she trailed off, her fingers absently toying with the imagined piece of jewelry.

Stefan couldn't suppress a smirk, knowing all too well Aella's penchant for mischief.

"I want to say that it will but..." he began, his tone teasing yet fond.

Elena's laughter rang out, a welcome respite from the heaviness of their conversation.

"But it's Aella, and she'll probably make me wear a candy ring or a fake mood ring to annoy me," Elena quipped, her humor shining through despite the circumstances. "But that's okay because I'll never be able to watch 'Bambi' with her again."

Stefan winced at the idea. "I definitely wouldn't recommend doing that," he admitted with a rueful chuckle, grateful for the brief reprieve from their worries.

Elena's attempt at humor provided a brief reprieve from the weight of their conversation, but the underlying tension remained palpable as she broached the topic that had been weighing on her mind.

"What's the best part about being a vampire?" she finally asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and apprehension.

Stefan's smile softened, understanding the significance of her question. He knew he had to tread carefully, balancing the allure of immortality with the harsh realities it brought.

"Ah," he began, his tone thoughtful. "You feel like you could do anything. Be anyone. Beautiful things are more beautiful. Everything's heightened. You just live more intensely and love more powerfully."

But Elena's inquiry didn't end there. With a determination born from a desire to understand the full extent of what she might be facing, she pressed on.

"And the worst?" she asked, her voice now tinged with a hint of trepidation.

Stefan's smile faded, replaced by a somber expression as he met her gaze squarely.

"You know the worst," he replied simply, his words heavy with the weight of centuries of experience.

Elena nodded in acknowledgment, but she wasn't ready to let the matter rest.

"Aside from the blood?" she pressed, her voice steady despite the underlying unease.

Stefan took a deep breath, steeling himself before offering her a candid glimpse into the darker aspects of their existence.

"Anger becomes rage. When you're sad, you're in despair. Grief. Loss. It can cripple you," he explained, his words laden with the weight of bitter experience. "That's why so many of us turn our emotions off. It just becomes... Too overwhelming. You know, for a while, for me, the good just wasn't worth the bad."

Elena swallowed hard, the reality of Stefan's words hitting home with a jarring clarity. The prospect of facing such intense emotions was daunting, to say the least.

"How long before you learned to handle both?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes searching his for reassurance.

Stefan's response was honest, devoid of any false bravado or pretense.

"Well, I'm still trying. Every day," he admitted, a hint of vulnerability creeping into his tone.

Stefan's acknowledgment of his ongoing struggle brought a soft smile to his lips, a silent acknowledgment of the resilience required to navigate the complexities of their existence. And as he thought of Aella, his enigmatic girlfriend whose presence brought a lightness to even the darkest of days, Stefan couldn't help but feel a swell of gratitude.

"Aella helps," he murmured to himself, the words carrying a weight of appreciation for the unwavering support she offered.

But Elena's silence spoke volumes, her thoughts swirling in the tumult of her mind as she grappled with the overwhelming emotions coursing through her. Stefan's gentle nudge broke through the silence, urging her to voice the thoughts that had been weighing heavily on her heart.

"You can say it," he encouraged softly, his eyes warm with understanding.

Elena's confusion was evident as she looked at him, unsure of what he was referring to.

"The thing you've been wanting to say," Stefan clarified, his tone gentle yet persistent. "I know what you said to Damon was the truth but you were also in the heat of the moment. Now you've had to time to think, what do you actually want to say."

With a nonchalant shrug, Elena attempted to brush off the significance of her unspoken thoughts.

"There's nothing I can say, Stefan. It's not going to change anything," she replied, her voice tinged with resignation.

But Stefan refused to let her retreat into silence, offering her a small smile of encouragement.

"Might make you feel better," he suggested, his eyes filled with empathy.

Elena's response was laced with frustration and anger, her words reflecting the depth of her pain.

"I think killing Damon would make me feel better," she admitted bitterly, her voice tinged with betrayal.

Stefan's immediate condemnation of Damon's actions was swift and unequivocal, his words a testament to the complexity of their bond.

"He shouldn't have done what he did. Damon finds it hard to protect those he loves, and when he does it, he doesn't think. He did it because he loves you," Stefan explained, his voice tinged with regret.

But Elena's tearful glare spoke of a deeper truth, her words echoing the turmoil of her heart.

"That's not love, Stefan. He knew how I would feel about this, which means he doesn't really know what love is. And to be honest, I don't know if I do. I'm seventeen years old. How am I supposed to know any of this yet? I was supposed to grow up," she confessed, her voice choked with emotion.

The tears that had been threatening finally spilled over, tracing a path down Elena's cheeks as she confronted the harsh reality of her situation.

"I was supposed to have a lifetime of those choices, and...now? That's all gone," she confessed, her voice breaking with the weight of her grief.

Stefan's silent nod encouraged her to continue, to finally voice the fear that had been gnawing at her heart.

"Say it," he urged gently, his voice a soothing presence in the midst of her turmoil.

And with a sob that seemed to echo the depths of her anguish, Elena finally found the strength to voice the truth that had been haunting her.

"I don't want to be a vampire, Stefan. I never wanted to be one," she admitted, her words heavy with regret.

Stefan's arms enveloped her in a comforting embrace, his touch a silent reassurance that she was not alone in her pain.

"I know. It's okay," he whispered softly, his voice a beacon of solace in the darkness that threatened to consume them both.