———— MADDIE WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING to see Stefan sitting at her bay window with a small smile, but it held sadness and some pain. Maddie immediately gave him some blood, which seemed to help a bit more. Maddie had sensed something changed, but she didn't push, wanting Stefan to come to her when time came. So Stefan drove his old, red car that Matt and Tyler helped him fix into the parking lot, shades over his eyes. Stefan larked the car, getting out, uncharacteristically in a good mood. Stefan closed the door, and walked to the passenger side, opening and extending a hand. Maddie laughed as she gladly took his hand, and climbed out. Stefan took off his sunglasses as he wrapped an arm around Maddie. Elena approached them, smiling. "Nice car." Maddie hummed in agreement with a smile on her face. "Thought it was a waste to leave it in the garage." Stefan told her. Elena smiled. Stefan kissed her for a moment. "I didn't know you were coming back today." Elena told him. Maddie laughed softly, kissing his cheek. "I'll catch you later, bye Ellie." Maddie waved as she walked away, humming to herself, seeing Haley sitting on a bench table drawing. "Shouldn't you be at the council meeting with Uncle John and Damon?" Maddie asked Haley. Haley looked up, sighing. "I should, but John convinced me that he's handling it. And Damon, he wants me here for some reason." Haley told her niece with a shrug. Maddie looked at her. "John knows a lot of things, and to be honest, it's very creepy." Maddie shivered as she set her bag on the table, knowing the bell wouldn't ring for a few minutes. Haley hummed. "Try being raised with him. Greyson practically parented me, John was strict all the time." Haley rolled her eyes. Maddie giggled softly. "I heard Caspian and Tatum's supposed to attend school today too." Maddie told Haley, who frowned. "Really?" She asked in surprise. Maddie hummed. "Yep." Maddie took her journal out and began to write. Haley smiled softly, shaking her head as she continued to draw in her sketchbook.

Stefan and Elena were sitting together. Haley sat behind Elena, as Maddie sat behind Stefan. Even as Haley and Maddie were not juniors, they shared the class with Elena and Stefan. Alaric stood at the front of the class. "Okay, this week, we're gonna set aside our regular curriculum for a lesson in local history as we approach Founder's Day. Apparently, the community leaders feel its more important than World War II, but hey, what do I know?" The door opened. Maddie and Haley glanced towards the door. Bonnie walked in with a new haircut, bangs covering her head, closing the door behind her. "Sorry I'm late." Maddie smiled at her friend. "Well, it looks like we will be a full occupancy today." Alaric told them. Bonnie went to take a seat, next to Maddie. Maddie gave her a sad smile, in which Bonnie returned. Haley smiled at the girl with a wave. Stefan and Elena looked at her sympathetically. Bonnie looked at Elena, smiling a small smile, but when she looked at Stefan, her smile faded, looking away. Maddie reached over, squeezing her hand, causing Bonnie to sigh deeply, and placing a smile on her face. Stefan and Elena exchanged a look of confusion. Haley rolled her eyes at the couple. Maddie didn't let go of Bonnie's hand, worried for her friend.

After class ended, Haley and Maddie tried to find Bonnie, which they did, but she wasn't alone. "Bonnie!" Maddie called out, running up to them, wrapping her arms around Bonnie. Bonnie smiled in surprise, returning the embrace. Haley walked towards them. "Hello Bonnie." Haley waved, as she embraced Bonnie, which she returned. Bonnie chuckled. "Hi, Maddie, Haley." She greeted warmly. Maddie pulled away, her hands on Bonnie's shoulders. "I know we talked everyday, but I missed you." Elena have Bonnie a slightly hurt look, confused to why her sister would have called Bonnie, but Bonnie never talked to Maddie. "How are you doing?" Haley asked, frowning. Bonnie turned to Haley. "Better." She answered. "Better. Glad to be back, and trying to keep myself... busy." Haley and Maddie nodded, understanding. "Well, we can help with that." Caroline walked towards them, with a smile. Maddie and Haley smiled wider. "Major wardrobe confab needed ASAP. You two need to help pick out the perfect dresses for the Founders' Court." Maddie smiled wider, but sadly, she wouldn't be able to participate like Haley would. "Founders' Court?" Elena repeated, confused. Maddie turned to her sister. "Founders' Court. For Miss Mystic Falls." Elena seemed to be remembering. "Remember? Dad signed Haley up for it. I think mom did the same for you." Maddie reminded her. "The three of you are on it." She pointed to her sister, Haley, and Caroline. Bonnie looked at Maddie, Haley and Elena sympathetically. "God, we signed up for so long ago, I completely forgot." Maddie hummed. "Yeah." She told her, with a sad smile. "I go in two years." Maddie murmured, trailing off, her eyes dimming a bit. Elena noticed, and sighed, knowing she was remembering their mom. Caroline looked at Elena. "So are you dropping out, then?" Elena glanced at Maddie, who nodded encouragingly. "I can't." Maddie smiled a bit. "No?" Caroline asked, secretly hoping she'd drop out. Maddie knew what Caroline was thinking. "Her mom is the one that wanted her to enter." Bonnie explained, causing Maddie to nod. "Mom wanted me to join in two years, and I promised her I'd do it." Maddie added in. Elena nodded, conflicted whether or not to participate in the Miss Mystic Falls.

Isaiah walked down the hallway, searching for Maddie as he found her. "Maddie." He greeted warmly. Maddie turned to Isaiah with a wide smile. "Isaiah, what are you doing back in town?" Maddie asked him, tilting her head in a curious way. Isaiah chuckled. "Well, considering your brother's have asked me to return, and see I participate in Miss Mystic Falls as their Salvatore family leader, but I'm afraid I couldn't do that. However, your brothers were persistent when I ask you to dance." Isaiah chuckled softly. Maddie's eyes were wide. "I can't, Isaiah. Don't get me wrong, I would have loved to be your escort, but I'm too young, I have two more years." Maddie gently explained, which caused Isaiah to nod in understanding. "Fair enough, however, I remain here, as you need a best friend to get through your Supernatural tantrums for Crowley." He smirked, raising an eyebrow as he tossed his arm across her shoulders. Maddie laughed, closing her locker. "Only you can reference Supernatural to our everyday life of supernatural world." Maddie mused. Isaiah wiggled his eyebrows cheekily, as he escorted her towards her next class, seeing Isaiah was merely a student once more.

Later that night, Maddie was in the kitchen when she noticed Elena opening the fridge as she was on the phone. "I'm sorry for the short notice. I didn't even know that the contest was coming up, much less that I would be in it." Maddie turned to Elena, raising an eyebrow, but Elena shook her head. Haley entered as she waved at the two. "My mom was really into this Founders' Day stuff." Elena told the person on the phone. Maddie assumed it was Stefan. "She was even Miss Mystic Falls in her day. I kind of want to do it for her." Elena explained. Maddie gave a small smile at that, remembering the story her mom told her. Haley smiled. "I remember that story, Greyson was apart of it as well." Haley told Maddie in a hushed tone. Maddie turned to Haley with surprise, and a curious brow. Haley smiled. "I'll tell you later." She whispered, before Haley moved to the kitchen to start making dinner. Maddie heard Elena, and told her to tell Stefan goodnight. For some reason, Maddie had a sense of foreshadow, that something was very wrong, and she couldn't explain what, or why.

The next day, Maddie opted to stay at home, but she instead went to the Salvatore boarding house, knowing Elena was at the Founders' Hall for the Founders' Court. Maddie was in the kitchen working on homework, as the doorbell rang. "Got it!" She called, getting up as she walked to the foyer, opening it. "Uncle John?" Maddie asked, eyes widening. John furrowed his eyebrows. "Hello, Maddie." He told her. "Where's Damon?" John asked. Damon walked into the room behind Maddie. "Maddie, homework." Damon spoke, staring into John. Maddie frowned, nodding. "Okay..." She trailed off. "Hey, partner." Damon greeted, opening the door wider as Maddie left to the kitchen. Maddie was undeniably confused to why her uncle was there, or what he wanted. And it made no sense to her, whatsoever. Maddie was in the kitchen, as she could still hear the conversation. "What do you want." Damon asked. "You haven't returned any of my calls, and I wonder why my niece is here." John told him. Maddie's eyes rose an eyebrow at the comment. Caspian and Tatum, Both now having taken up residence at the Salvatore boarding house, was sitting in the parlor. "Most people take that as a hint." Caspian spoke, glancing up at John, barely tolerating, only because of Maddie's sake, and he is technically his family, whether he liked it or not. Tatum smirked. "And Maddie is allowed to be here, you should know the relation to why." Tatum added in, as he sat, flipping through an old book. John rolled his eyes. "Nice to see you, Caspian." He turned to Damon. "Where do we start looking for vampires?" Maddie blinked her eyes, in confusion, but also surprise, as she concentrated on her homework. "How do you act, John?" Damon asked. Maddie shared the same thought, but she tended to leave herself out of the conversation. Caspian picked up his glass of bourbon, taking a sip. "What Isobel say about that? I mean, considering she is one." John turned to Caspian, considering he is annoyed that he didn't know who the two were, although, he did see very similar features shared, so as far as he knew, they were related to his niece. "Isobel and I share a mutual interest, Caspian." John spoke, causing Caspian to twitch at the mention of his name. "The original Jonathan Gilbert has an invention that was stolen by a vampire. That vampire was then burned alive in the Fell's Church, or so Jonathan thought, and the invention was lost forever. But then vampires weren't killed, were they? They were trapped, and now they're free, thanks to your friends, which means the invention is retrievable." Maddie frowned, remembering the tomb vampires, as she shivered at the memory of her capture. "What is it?" Damon asked. "The only thing that matters is that I want it back, you're going to help me if you want your secret safe." Damon, Caspian and Tatum looked intently at John. "Because it won't be only you, Caspian, Tatum and Isaiah that would get hurt. What do you think the council would do to Maddie? Whether or not she is my niece, Maddie is alike you in more ways than one." John spoke. Maddie tensed up, Damon's eyes darkened. "What of Madelyn." He hissed, protective instinct overdriving his senses. Maddie frowned, listening. "Maddie is a reincarnation, the Council does not know that, once they find out, they want her." John simply stated, shrugging. Caspian and Tatum both stood up. "So, you'd give your own flesh and blood just to save your own soul." Tatum hissed, his eyes also darkening as he stepped beside of Damon, his Bulgarian accent thickening. Damon smirked, glad to know he wasn't alone. John sighed. "No, I wouldn't give her up, not for a second. What do you think they'll do if I deliberately kept that secret from the Council?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. Damon, Caspian and Tatum glanced at one another, not having an answer for that. "They'll still find her, one way or another." John told them, stating that fact. "And you was around back then. You know who these people are, what they look like. He was friendly with a woman who turned out to be a vampire. Her name was Pearl. Does that ring a bell?" John asked Damon. Maddie recognized the name from her dream and diary. Damon, Caspian and Tatum didn't answer, exchanging a look, looking at John. "I'm not playing anymore." Damon spoke up, crossing his arms. "Either tell is what 'this' invention is, or get out." Damon told him. John didn't move. Caspian raised an eyebrow. "We can do this, the easy way, or the Bulgarian way, which isn't pleasant for my taste." Caspian told John. John looked at them for a moment.

Maddie followed Elena down the stairs at their house when there was a knock on the door. Maddie took the garment bag from Elena. Elena opened the door, to reveal Alaric standing outside in a tuxedo. Maddie smiled softly. "Hey." Maddie waved, with a smile. She had on a long dress with lace sleeves and her necklace from Damon around her neck. "Hi." Alaric told them. "I heard you're driving." Elena told him. "Yeah, I am." Alaric told her, looking at Maddie. "Let me get that for you." Alaric took the garment bag from Maddie. "Thanks." Maddie told her, as she quickly walked upstairs to grab her handbag before she came downstairs. Elena had closed the door. "How.. How is Stefan?" Alaric asked. Maddie frowned. "What do you mean?" Elena asked. "You know, he seems on edge." Alaric told them. Maddie and Elena exchanged a look, confused. "He went through a lot, but he was fine the other day?" Maddie told him, confused, as she tilted her head. "He was in bad shape for awhile, but he's bouncing back now." Elena told him. Alaric wasn't convinced, and knew that Maddie wasn't in the know just yet, changing the subject. "Where's Jenna?" Maddie smiled. "Upstairs, with aunt Haley." Elena answered. "They're getting ready still." Maddie told him, with a smile. Elena smiled to Alaric. Alaric nodded, heading upstairs. Elena and Maddie shared a smile. Maddie turned around and walked to the kitchen.

Once Maddie returned from the kitchen with a sandwich in her hand, Elena and Alaric were standing together. John approached them in a tuxedo. Maddie's eyebrows rose, and remembering the conversation from that morning. "Alaric. Hey, buddy." Elena rolled her eyes, walking away. Maddie sighed, following Elena. "What are you doing here?" John asked, noticing the two. "Well, I'm the chauffeur." Alaric answered. "Oh, I thought I was driving." John told them, looking upstairs. Jenna and Haley walked downstairs. Jenna looked at John. "No need, we're going with Ric. Jeremy followed behind. "Jeremy and I will ride, John." Haley told her brother with a smile. Alaric smiled, as he watched Jenna. Maddie and Elena walked into the hall. "Are we ready?" Elena asked. "Mm-hmm." Jenna answered. Jeremy looked at John with a smile. Maddie, Elena, Jenna and Alaric followed. Haley patted John's arm as she sighed. "Come on, big brother." John smiled at his little sister, following her out the front door, after successfully locking it. Haley waited patiently in the SUV.

Caspian and Tatum entered the Founders' Hall wearing tuxedos as they noticed a similar brunette, causing their eyes to widen in disbelief. "Is that who I think it is?" Caspian told his father in Bulgarian, thankful for the language. Tatum nodded solemnly. "A splitting image of your mother." He whispered. Caspian watched the figure with lingering eyes. "Vampire?" He murmured, frowning. Tatum shook his head. "It's impossible, she died giving birth to you." Tatum murmured, patting his shoulder, knowing his son was a bit pained. Caspian sighed.  Tatum smiled. "Come on, let's go find our mutual ally." Tatum led Caspian through the crowd to find Alaric and Isaiah. Isaiah smiled softly, nodding his head towards the two. "Caspian, Tatum." He greeted warmly. Both Petrov men nodded with a smile. "Isaiah." Tatum responded. "Sienna should be upstairs." Caspian murmured, having used her real name in front of Isaiah. Maddie had been called different names, and she would have answered to them, but the three knew she didn't her life as Sienna quite yet. "With Haley Gilbert, tell me, one of you like her?" Isaiah smirked, raising an eyebrow at Tatum, who simply ignored the Original teen at the moment. Caspian coughed to cover his smirk and laughter. Tatum elbowed his son, causing him to grunt in pain. Isaiah smirked, sipping his champagne from a glass.

Maddie, Haley, Jenna and Elena were in the makeup room as they were helping Elena get ready. To an unexpected surprise, Haley had been entered right before Miranda had died, and Carol Lockwood had informed her. Haley was dressed in a long dark emerald green dress that equally matched her eyes as her hair was straightened, but Maddie had added a few curls and pinned several up in a small bump on top of her head, with a few loose pieces of her front bangs to dangle in the front, as her hair only came to her shoulders. Maddie smiled softly. "I know who can escort you." She smiled widely. She could think of three actually, but she would surprise her aunt. "Why did Greyson sign me up for, anyways?" Haley asked Jenna, knowing she would have the answer. Jenna laughed from helping Elena with her hair. "I think because you're the youngest Gilbert, and as a founding family, you're qualified, besides, Greyson would have wanted you to participate, and John would've came nevertheless." Jenna admitted as she finished curling Elena's hair. "Thanks for helping us." Elena told them, causing Maddie and Jenna to glance at one another. "Me too, I never expected to be in it, especially last minute." Haley admitted, as she sighed, feeling nervous. Elena glanced at her aunt. "Me too, when Carol told us about it, I kind of figured mom would have signed you up, at least dad would've. I mean, you're the last Gilbert aside from Uncle John," Maddie told her, causing Elena to nod. "I would be expected to join, considering two families, but I'm too young for it." Maddie added in, hoping in two years, she'd be apart of it. Haley and Elena glanced at one another with a smile. "Don't thank me until your sure your hair's not going to burn off." Jenna told them. She looked at Haley. "Even if I'm done with yours, doesn't mean it won't happen sooner or later." Maddie laughed, shaking her head. Haley smiled softly. "I remember when mom and I applied for this." Elena told them. "She was so excited. I think mom also signed Haley too, I remember dad mentioning her." Haley looked at Elena with a small smile, reaching across to hold her hand. Maddie let a tear fall down her cheek. "She was so excited for you and aunt Haley." Maddie whispered. "She was." Jenna told them. "She just made it sound like so much fun." Elena told them. "A lot's changed since then." Maddie grew quiet as she finished Haley's hair with a smile. "I hate to break it to you." Jenna told them, putting the curling iron down. "But it's a little late for getting cold feet." Maddie laughed, raising an eyebrow as she moved to stand beside of Elena, helping her as Haley stood up, flattening her dress out. "I don't have cold feet." Haley told them. "I just think that I'd be enjoying this a lot more if they were here. Greyson would have loved to watch me, it was his wish for me, and Miranda for Elena and soon, Maddie will join." Haley told them softly, as a tear brimmed in her eye. Maddie smiled softly. "Well, I can tell you one thing." Jenna told them, trying to lighten the mood. "Your guys' hair would have a better chance if she was." Maddie and Haley laughed. "Okay." Elena told them, standing. "I should go put my dress on, since aunt Haley is already dressed." Elena smiled softly, Haley shooed her away. Maddie walked to Caroline, as she began to help her. Caroline seemed sad, expecting herself to lose against at least, to Elena. Haley watched with a fond smile. "Maddie looks like a true Gilbert." She whispered. Jenna nodded. "And a Salvatore." Jenna added in, knowing as she smiled at her sister in-law. Haley hummed, before joining Maddie to help Caroline finish getting ready.

Outside the mansion, Nathan Hill was drawn to Mystic Falls, as he heard that someone was asked for his presence. Isaiah waved him over, as Nathan found him. "Isaiah." He spoke, his accent thick as he was raised in the south. Nathan Hill, a werewolf who is apart of the crescent pack, however, Marcel upon instructions from Isaiah allowed Nathan to remain in his human form instead of his wolf form. "Nathaniel, welcome to Mystic Falls." Isaiah spoke softly, clapping the man he saw as a brother figure. Nathan smiled softly. "Thank you, I can feel it, it's stronger." He murmured, whispering in his ear. Caspian and Tatum glanced at the two, raising an eyebrow. "Nathan, this is Caspian and Tatum, boys, this is Nathan Hill, a friend, a brother of mine from my hometown." Nathan knew that they're hunters and those who knew the supernatural around, so he had to keep quiet. "Pleasure." He shook their hands. Nathan felt a pull ever since he had turned human, and Isaiah came to town a few weeks ago, along with an alluring scent of brownies and vanilla, which he told Isaiah, which led to his predicament in Mystic Falls, meaning he found his soulmate, to whom, he didn't know. Isaiah, of course knew about his predicament and decided to help him, after all, Nathan was someone Isaiah liked very much, as he also knew he needed to keep his brother away from Nathan. "If she is here, perhaps you can move here." Isaiah asked him, silently raising an eyebrow. Nathan didn't know, but he nodded. "I'd have to ask Jackson about it." He shrugged, as he smiled at the thought of finding his soulmate and living in the same town as her. "Incoming elder Gilbert." Tatum spoke, glancing across the room to see John Gilbert with Jeremy. Isaiah sensed Anna as his eyes flickered to the said vampire, who did notice Isaiah, thankfully, he knew her personally.

Maddie followed Elena inside the dressing room, seeing Haley standing in front of the mirror. Haley smiled at them. "Hi girls, getting ready for the final preparations?" Haley asked. Maddie nodded. "I'm going to downstairs and find the boys. I'll be right back." Maddie excused herself as she walked to find Isaiah, and his friends. "Isaiah." She greeted. "I need your help." Maddie's eyes dimmed a bit. Nathan smelt her scent on Maddie as his eyes flashed. Isaiah quickly noticing, clapped his shoulder. "Nathan, this is Maddie Gilbert." He empathized her name, in which Nathan noticed with widen eyes. "The one?" He spoke, frowning. Isaiah merely nodded. "Maddie, this is Nathan, he's a friend of mine. What is it you require?" He asked softly. "Aunt Haley needs an escort, it seems my parents added in Haley as an last minute and we found out last night." Maddie quickly told them. Isaiah smirked. "Of course, we can help." He told her. Maddie smiled softly. "I could participate, or your fellow nephew here could, or, if this is what I believe I think this is. Why not have Nathan escort her." Isaiah smirked, his eyes mischievously twinkling like a certain headmaster at Hogwarts would. Maddie rose an eyebrow, but followed along. "I'd do it, we think that Nathan would find his happily ever after." Caspian murmured in Bulgarian. Maddie nodded. "Alright, Nathan, do you have a suit?" She asked. Nathan shook his head, lost and confused. "Boys, I'm gonna need your help." Maddie took Nathan's hand, followed by Isaiah, Caspian and Tatum to the men's dressing room, for the next hour they had remaining. Unaware, that Damon was having a conversation to Elena about a certain hero haired Salvatore.

Haley stood on the other side of Caroline, when she heard names being called out. Elena was on the opposite side of Caroline, looking for Stefan. "Do you know who my escort even is? I don't." She sighed, leaning over the rail a bit, frowning. She noticed Maddie and Isaiah, along with Caspian and Tatum, who she admitted, looked dashing in a suit. Maddie glanced up at her aunt, giving her a small smile. "You got this." Maddie mouthed to her. Haley slightly nodded as she took a deep breath. "Has anyone see Amber?" Haley heard Mrs. Lockwood ask. Haley turned to see Carol as she shook her head. Elena looked downstairs. "Do you see Stefan down there?" Haley shook her head. "Nope." Caroline answered. "Just my boring fill on escort, and a tall handsome man standing next to him." Caroline told them. Haley and Elena turned to her. "What happened to Matt?" Elena asked. "And who is the handsome guy?" Haley added in, frowning. She looked over, her eyes narrowing. "Maddie Faith Gilbert, what have you done." Down below, Isaiah, Caspian and Tatum smirked. Caspian, who was closest to Maddie, leaned over. "You know, your aunt knows something is up." He murmured in Bulgarian. Maddie's lips twitched, pretending to gasp dramatically. "Oh, am I?" She purred in response, her eyes twinkling like Albus Dumbledore. Tatum snickered, Isaiah smiled. Nathan coughed slightly to cover his amusement. Caspian scowled, but his lips twitched a bit. Haley looked at Elena. "I don't know." Elena told them. "He just disappeared. I don't know." Haley frowned. "You mean Stefan?" She asked, confused. Elena nodded. Haley tilted her head. Down below, Isaiah, Caspian and Tatum was listening in. Isaiah looked across, seeing Damon. "Escort her." Isaiah murmured, knowing Damon could hear. Damon gave a mild nod. "What am I doing?" Elena asked herself, but Haley heard. "This isn't me. I'm not this girl anymore. I never should've gone through with this." Elena started to walk away. Haley grabbed her arm to stop her. "Oh, no, no, no. You've had your chance to drop out. Elena, you're doing this because it was important to your mom. It's important to me, because Greyson wanted me to do this. Don't drop out because you want to." Haley told her niece. "We can do this, just breathe deeply, and everything will be okay." Haley cradled her niece's face, nodding her head. Elena nodded, swallowing as she heard Haley's words. Mrs. Lockwood announced the next escorts. "Miss. Caroline Forbes, and her escort, Jeffery Lockwood Hamilton." Caroline smiled, walking downstairs, meeting with her escort. Maddie had told Mrs. Lockwood about Haley's escort. Jeffery led Caroline outside with the other contestants. Carol looked at Haley. "Haley, you're next." Haley nodded, walking to the staircase. Haley turned to Elena. "Don't back out, Elena. Do this for Miranda." Haley told her softly, Elena nodded to her aunt. Mrs. Lockwood announced. "Miss. Haley Gilbert, and her escort, Nathaniel Hill." Haley walked down the staircase, meeting Nathan. Nathan exhaled nervously. "Hello." Nathan spoke formally, with a bow as he extended his arm. Haley took it. Maddie smiled toward her aunt. Nathan was dressed in a tuxedo, giving Haley a small smile. Haley looked up at him, her breath caught at the sight of Nathan. Nathan smiled inwardly, knowing their bond was forming. "Hello. Mr. Hill, I presume?" Haley spoke softly, as Nathan led her outside, towards the other contestants. Haley barely heard Mrs. Lockwood announcing the last names of the night. "Miss. Elena Gilbert, escorted by Mr. Stefan Salvatore." Maddie pushed Damon towards Elena. Damon realized that she was about to be abandoned, walking past Richard and Carol, standing in the escort line to take Stefan's place. Maddie smiled widely. Tatum, Isaiah and Caspian watched her smile. Elena looked at him in relief. She stepped next to him, whispering her words. "Where's Stefan?" Maddie frowned, realizing Stefan wasn't there. "I don't know." Damon told her, taking her hand. Damon led past Richard, Maddie, Tatum, Caspian, Isaiah, Carol, Jeremy, Anna and John outside.

Nathan and Haley were next to Jeffery and Caroline. Damon took his place on the other side of Nathan. Elena took her place beside of Haley. Haley looked at Elena in confusion. "What are you doing with Damon?" Elena turned to her aunt. "Stefan's not here." Haley nodded slowly, still confused and cautious. "What are we going to do?" Damon looked over at Nathan, who they introduced with Maddie. The two nodded solemnly. "Right now, we just have to get through this." Damon told them quietly. The girls and their escorts bowed to one another. They raised their right hands, circling around each other. Haley and Nathan both felt something connect the two, their eyes met one another. Haley swore she noticed of a flicker in Nathan's eyes, as his wolf was excited to meet their mate. Nathan smiled a bit more, as he was still the shy man, but he would be protective of Haley, and her family if he had a choice. They both raised both of their hands, circling around one another to their left, looking at each other until they were in their rightful places. They stepped closer to each other, dancing slowly and beautifully to the song. All the couples dance their own way, separating. Haley and Nathan seemed to have words with their eyes, as they gave one another a small smile. Nathan decided that he'd stay in Mystic Falls with Isaiah, wanting to know more of his mate. Damon and Elena looked conflicted yet numb, no denying how close they were. Whilst Haley and Nathan were completely relaxed, and somehow shocked of how peaceful the air felt. Nathan knew that Haley was the love of his life, as Haley realized that she felt warmth, a spark flicker, and she was welcoming it. They all ended the dance the way they had started, taking a step back into their rightful places. Haley blushed at Nathan's intense look, as Nathan smiled a bit wider. Maddie looked smug. "Told you, He who he shall be named works wonders." Maddie told them, with a smile. Tatum, Caspian and Isaiah smiled at her. Damon glanced at his sister, with a fond smile, upon hearing her voice.

Awhile later, everyone was gathered to hear who crowned the winner. The contestants were gathered on stage. Richard walked past them, waving to the applauding audience. "Where's Amber?" Caroline whispered. "I don't know." Haley responded, looking a bit lost and confused. "Before I crown a winner, I'd like to offer a personal thank you to all of these young ladies for their efforts to better our community." Richard told them, applauding. The crowd applauded with him. "So, without further ado, it is my honor to announce our very own Miss Mystic Falls..." Richard opened the envelope, smiling, looking towards the girls, gesturing toward them. "Miss. Caroline Forbes!" Caroline was surprised, laughing. Elena and Haley smiled, laughing. "Congratulations!" Elena told her. Haley smiled widely, knowing Caroline deserved it. "I actually won?" Caroline asked. Caroline, Haley and Elena embraced. Richard stood behind Caroline, hanging the stash over her shoulders, placing the crown on her head. Caroline smiled. Maddie cheered, along with Isaiah, Caspian and Tatum, clapping their hands to their newest Miss Mystic Falls. Haley and Elena glanced at one another, smiling. Richard stepped away from Caroline, letting her have her moment to shine. 

Damon, Isaiah, Tatum and Caspian glanced at one another, noticing the three girls. Damon gestured his head for Elena, Maddie and Haley to join them. The three girls followed the four boys. Nathan was with them, confused. "Damon, what is it?" Elena asked, noticing Damon. "Did you find him?" Maddie asked, worried for her brother. "There were signs of a struggle in the upstairs bathroom." Damon told them. Bonnie stood in the crowd, looking toward them. "There was blood." Maddie's eyes widen, mouth parted slightly. "And Amber girl is missing." Tatum spoke up, slowly, like saying that would drill it into their heads. Maddie and Haley gave him a glare that said, shut up and be quiet look. "Oh, my God." Haley told them in a whisper when realization hit her. "He wouldn't hurt her." Maddie told them, nodding to herself. "He has some of my blood this morning. He was fine then?" Maddie asked confused, tilting her head. "Let's just find them, okay?" Haley told them softly, wrapping an arm around Maddie's waist, hugging her. "Let's get your coats." Damon told them. "Come on." Isaiah led Maddie inside, as Nathan gave Haley his tux jacket, which caused Haley to blush. Elena, Haley, Damon, Maddie, Tatum, Caspian, Nathan and Isaiah walked off to find Stefan and Amber. Bonnie started to follow them. Elena, Haley, Damon, Maddie, Isaiah, Tatum and Caspian ran closer, the girls each having their jackets, except Haley who had on Nathan's, and Maddie had Isaiah's. "Stefan!" Haley told him. "Amber." Stefan let amber go, pushing her aside. Amber crawled away. Damon and Maddie walked toward Stefan, but Isaiah grabbed Maddie's hand. Maddie turned to Isaiah. "Let go." She told him, narrowing her eyes. "Stefan, come on." Maddie let Isaiah go, walking closer to him. "Get control. It's okay. Come on. Breathe through it, Stefan. Come back to me, remember what I gave you?" Maddie stepped closer, eyes brimming. "Come back to me, Stefan, come back." Maddie whispered. Damon stepped closer. Stefan grabbed Damon, throwing him into a tree, making him fall to the ground. Maddie screamed in shock and surprise. Haley gasped. Damon immediately stood. Maddie slowly stayed where she was. "Stefan, stop it!" She yelled, tears falling. Stefan was suddenly grabbing his head in pain, groaning in pain. Haley, Elena and Nathan turned to look at Bonnie behind them. Bonnie was casting a spell to cause Stefan pain. She stopped once she knew he was under control. Stefan breathed heavily, looking around, no longer in pain. Maddie looked at her brother, fear, worry, sadness, and concern in her eyes. "It's okay, Stefan." Maddie told him. Stefan looked at them in overwhelmed guilt, running away, leaving. Maddie ran after him, not caring of her clothes, Isaiah's jacket fallen to the ground. "Maddie!" Isaiah, Caspian and Tatum rushed after her. Damon walked toward Amber. Amber slid away from him in fear. Damon held his hands up in a harmless gesture. "It's okay, Amber. No one's gonna hurt you anymore." He knelt in front of Amber, compelling her. Haley and Nathan watched wary, and concerned. Nathan was slightly positioned in front of her, in case things went south. "You won't remember any of what just happened." Amber's eyes were glazed over, as the compulsion took. Amber didn't answer, in a trance, looking forward. Haley sighed in relief. "We need to find Maddie." Haley told them, gesturing to the woods. Damon and Nathan glanced at one another, nodding. Elena seemed skeptical.

Liz and several Deputies surrounded Amber in an ambulance truck. Maddie came back through the trees, hugging herself as she shivered. Isaiah, Caspian and Tatum were tracking down Stefan. "Maddie." Damon breathed, shrugging off his jacket. "D—Damon." She stuttered, cold as her breath could easily be seen. Damon wrapped his jacket around her shoulders, frowning. "Where is—." Maddie gestured to the woods with her head as she pulled Damon's jacket closer to her. Damon nodded. "Amber doesn't remember what happened. Maddie, are you alright?" Liz asked concerned, walking towards her. Maddie jumped, looking at Liz, nodding. "Yes. I'm fine. I got lost track of time." Maddie lied smoothly, as she blinked her eyes. Liz nodded slowly. Damon wrapped his arms around her. Haley walked towards Maddie, gesturing towards Elena and Bonnie. "It's a good thing the girls got here when they did." Damon cut in, watching Maddie with concerned eyes, that didn't go unnoticed by Haley, Nathan, Bonnie and Elena. "Amber lost a lot of blood." Nathan added in, noticing the grateful nod from Damon he gave. Liz looked at the girls. "You didn't see anything?" She asked. Maddie, Haley, Nathan, Elena and Damon looked at Bonnie. Bonnie hesitated, considering on telling the truth, deciding against it, shaking her head, looking down. "No we didn't." Maddie stuttered, shivering against the cold. "We just found Amber and called Damon." Haley added in, rubbing her arms, Nathan on the other side of Maddie, providing warmth. "Is Amber going to be okay?" Bonnie asked. Liz nodded. "Looks like it, yeah. Why don't you girls get back to the party? Maddie could use some warmth. Damon and I can take it from here." Liz told them. "I could use Nathan's help, a friend of mine is currently away." Damon told Liz. Nathan nodded, trusting Damon this once. "Alright." Liz told Damon, nodding. Damon nodded. Maddie nodded her head. "Keep the jacket, Maddie." Damon told Maddie, nodding his head. Maddie smiled, tightening the jacket tighter to her chest. "Okay." Elena told them, wrapping her arm around Maddie as Haley guided them away from Liz, Damon and Liz. Elena followed Bonnie. Liz looked at Damon. "They didn't see the bite mark?" Nathan frowned, assuming that this had been an vampire attack. "No." Damon told her. "I got here before they got to close. There was too much blood. They couldn't see it clearly." Damon explained. Nathan nodded. "I provide as much pressure to keep her stable as I could." Nathan added in, with a nod of his head. Liz nodded, sighing. "Thank you, gentlemen. It's nice meeting you, Nathan." Liz told him, causing the man to smile and nod in return.

Maddie needed to see Damon, and so she went to the boarding house as Haley and Nathan followed her. Nathan suggested that he could keep an eye on Maddie whilst over, since Isaiah provided him a room at the boarding house, curtsy of Damon and Stefan. "Maddie." Nathan called, stepping towards her, but she froze, eyes wide as she noticed Anna and Pearl. Damon's head snapped up to meet Maddie's wide eyed gaze. Maddie slightly backed away from Pearl, remembering her and Anna, who was friends with Katherine. "Madelyn, it's okay." Anna soothed her friend. Maddie shook her head. "No, y—you're supposed to be dead." She whispered, eyes wide. Anna had told pearl of Maddie's existence, along with her dreams and memories appearing. "We aren't here to hurt you, Madelyn. We only came for a talk." Anna told her. Pearl nodded. Pearl turned to Damon. "Well, sorry, but unless you have some good news for us, then you better leave, because I'm not in the mood." Damon told them, sighing. "Today's been a no good, very bad day." Maddie nodded in agreement. Haley looked at the two. "What do you want." Haley asked. "Anna tells me you're looking for something I took from Jonathan Gilbert." Pearl told him. Haley's eyes widen in shock. "What did my ancestor have?" She asked. By instinct, Nathan's arm stretch to grasp hers. Haley looked back at him, eyebrows furrowed. Nathan shook his head, letting go of her arm. Now that she was his mate, his wolf was acting eerily quiet, and very territorial in front of the vampires. "We're listening." Maddie told her quietly, looking at Pearl. Pearl handed Maddie the small device. Haley's eyes widen. "Oh my God." Haley breathed, recognizing. "Jonathan was passionate about his inventions." Pearl told them. "He confided in me that he had created a detection device meant to track down the town's vampire element." Maddie ran a hand over the watch. "It was a pocket watch, Greyson meant to give it to Jeremy when it was time, but it had been locked away." Haley breathed, looking at Pearl. "How did you get it?" She asked, frowning. "Anna." Pearl told her. Haley turned to Anna, eyebrow raised. "I stole it from Logan Fell." Haley rolled her eyes. Maddie shivered, remembering a memory, that Damon seemed to realize. "He's dead, Maddie." Damon told her softly, his tone soft, gentle and calm. Maddie breathed, nodding. Anna and Pearl furrowed their eyebrows. "That's not what I stole." Pearl told Damon, getting back on track. "I discovered my mistake when I saw the watch in Jonathan's hand, the night they took us. Its stile pointed at me." Haley, Maddie and Damon looked at the device. "So what is this thing?" Haley asked. Nathan and Damon glanced at one another. "I have no idea, but now it's yours." Pearl told them. "What's the catch?" Maddie asked, rubbing her arms. "There is no catch, Madelyn." Pearl told her. "Anna wants to stay here. I want to stay here. You all refused to trust us, and for good reason. Consider this an..." She looked at Maddie. "An apology. If we had known, we would have taken you and Stefan out immediately. You were a dear friend to Anna and I, Madelyn. We owe you an apology." Pearl told her softly, her eyes softening. "From all of us." Anna told her, as she gave a small smile. "Not just what the other vampires did to you. What I did to Maddie to get Stefan and Damon's cooperation so I could save my mother. We're both sorry." Anna told Maddie. Maddie nodded slowly. "Apology accepted Anna. I know you loved your mom, and I loved mine, both of them." Maddie smiled softly. Pearl and Anna walked away. "Alright, up and daisy, let's get you inside before you catch hyperthermia." Damon clapped, wrapping his arm around Maddie's shoulders and guided her inside the house. Haley and Nathan both followed.

Haley was in the kitchen making soup for Maddie as Nathan was sitting on the stool, watching her. "So, tell me. What brings you to Mystic Falls?" Haley asked, raising an eyebrow. Nathan chuckled. "Isaiah's a friend. I owed him a favor. He saved my life." Nathan shrugged. "And I had a distinctive feeling. I was drawn here." More specifically, to you. Nathan thought. Haley hummed. "Mystic Falls is kind of a lonely place, I'd say nothing bad ever happens here, but I won't lie." Haley told him, with a shy blush. Nathan smiled wider. "Tell me, Miss. Gilbert, tell me about you." Nathan asked. Haley looked up to Nathan, pausing the stirring as she tilted her head. With a small smile upon her lips, she started to speak very little of herself. Nathan sat, absorbing every inch of her words, tucking it into his memory. Both of them were oblivious to the stares Isaiah, Caspian and Tatum was giving them, with smirks. "Five bucks, hand it over." Isaiah smirked gleefully, as he one day knew someone would inherit his mischievous bettings. Little did he know, his future nephews would. Caspian and Tatum both groaned. "Oh come on." Caspian complained, both giving five bucks to Isaiah. Haley and Nathan both turned, hearing them. "Guys, seriously?" Nathan asked in disbelief, shaking his head. Haley giggled, stirring the soup. Nathan smiled at the giggle. Caspian, Tatum and Isaiah walked away, leaving the two in silence, and more questions.

Maddie was laying on the couch, wrapped in a blanket when Isaiah, Tatum and Caspian walked in. They noticed Damon sitting on the opposite couch, both of them were no longer dressed formally. Damon had a glass of bourbon in his hand. "Feeling warmer?" Damon asked his sister. Maddie rose her head, nodding. "Much." Maddie murmured, as she stared at the ceiling, her eyes held worry for Stefan. "Is it happening yet?" She asked quietly, as she was worried for what Stefan would do. Elena had proposed an idea of locking him in a cellar, but Maddie had been skeptical, believing that he could fight his bloodlust. Damon looked at his sister. Isaiah crouched in front of her. "Not yet." Isaiah murmured, brushing a hair strand from her face. Maddie smiled, leaning into his feather touch. "Stefan won't hurt her." Tatum spoke, gently lifting her head as he sat down, so Maddie was laying partially on his lap. Caspian rose her legs, as he sat on the couch. Caspian began to rub her feet, knowing she had worn heels. Maddie sighed, closing her eyes. "What did I do wrong?" She whispered, as a lone tear fell down her cheek. Isaiah wiped it away. "You didn't do anything wrong, Maddie. Stefan isn't used to human blood. It's been a few years give or take, that he had any." Damon told her softly, knowing she felt guilt and worry. "Do not blame this on yourself, Sienna. This isn't your fault." Isaiah spoke firmly, as he kissed her forehead. "He hurt Amber, Isaiah. He isn't okay." Maddie rose up, her eyes staring at Isaiah's own. "I gave him a little bit of blood this morning. He was fine, I saw him." Maddie whispered. Caspian and Tatum knew she was blaming herself. Tatum remembered a time sienna had broken his mother's brush at one point, and sienna had a breakdown. Tatum gently moved his hair. "Sh, you did not do anything wrong. You only helped him. He needs to tolerate your blood to build his tolerance." He whispered in Bulgarian. Caspian began to sing a lullaby, in Bulgarian that he remembered Tatum singing to him. Isaiah recognized this, and joined in softly, as Tatum gently pulled Maddie to his lap, and held her, as he sang along with Tatum and Isaiah. Damon watched with a sad smile, knowing she was in good hands.

Damon and Isaiah placed Stefan into the cell, walking out of it. Caspian closed the cell door, locking it. Tatum was with Maddie as she had fell asleep crying. "There's no guarantee that this is going to work." Isaiah told Elena, who was leaning against the wall nearby. Haley looked at Caspian, raising an eyebrow. Caspian shook his head. "It has to." Elena told them. Haley sighed. "We don't know for sure, Lena." She whispered. Damon started to walk away, looking at Elena. "You coming?" He asked. Elena shook her head. "No." Elena answered. "I'm going to stay here." Elena sat down on the ground. Haley sighed, as she leaned against the wall. Damon looked at Isaiah. "I got her." Isaiah told him, nodding his head. Damon nodded once, sat next to the opposite wall, on the other side of the door. Haley and Isaiah walked upstairs. Caspian sighed, sitting on the steps, watching the door, but also hearing upstairs. They were waiting, leaving Stefan locked up for however long.

Tatum hummed as he ran a hand through Maddie's hair, watching her sleep with a soft smile. Isaiah sat on the opposite couch, watching her with love and concern in his eyes. Caspian sat next to Tatum, with Maddie's legs in his lap. Nathan was sitting in a single chair, holding a glass of water to his lips, staring at the fireplace. All four of them, waited for the moment when Stefan return to the one they knew and loved. Maddie was blissfully aware, and having dreams of her past, unaware of the dangers that lied ahead of them.

||

•• And Miss Mystic Falls is completed!
•• So, I changed a few things. As discussed, Stefan's hunger for blood is different, because this time Stefan's anchor is Maddie, instead of Elena, and he didn't go through this whole bloodlust phase with blood bags, since he took some of Maddie's blood, which tamed him for awhile.
•• Adding in a new member of the Reincarnated cast is very fun, and he is also appearing in Wolves, and The Come Down as Haley's love interest, future husband and baby daddy to three kids! Yes, Vivienne, Killian, and Greyson will be featured in The Originals as well, the how will be a surprise.
•• Stay tuned for Blood Brothers + Sister. Yes, I changed the name because of Maddie's past intertwining in the episode, eek!